The Memphis Grizzlies agreed to a contract buyout with point guard Cole Anthony. When that process is completed and Anthony clears waivers, the 25-year-old point guard plans to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, a league source confirmed to The Athletic. ESPN was first to report the news.
Anthony averaged 9.4 points, 3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 18.4 minutes per game in 67 games with the Orlando Magic last season. He was dealt to the Grizzlies a month ago as part of the trade that sent Desmond Bane to Orlando. The Grizzlies did not feel as though they had a place for Anthony. Now, the Bucks have an opportunity to fill what turned into a roster need for next season after former point guard Damian Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon this past season. The Bucks waived Lillard earlier this month.
The Bucks re-signed both of their young point guards, Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins, this offseason, but both players still have more to prove. Despite Anthony’s still only being 25 years old, he played 320 games in the first five seasons of his career with the Magic. After starting the first two seasons of his career, Anthony developed into a reliable scoring option at point guard off the bench under Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley.
Throughout his career, the 6-foot-2 Anthony has been a strong rebounder for his size and position but a bit overmatched as a defender. As Orlando’s defense has transformed into one of the league’s best over the last two seasons, though, Anthony has given strong effort and tried to compete on a nightly basis. Though Anthony has only shot 34.5 percent from behind the 3-point line in his career, he has been able to make an impact on games as a scorer.
If the Bucks can get Anthony to Milwaukee as planned, they will have 14 of a possible 15 roster spots filled for the 2025-26 season. They could always choose to waive Andre Jackson Jr. and his partially guaranteed contract to open up another spot, but as it stands, the team would have just one roster spot left to fill.
(Photo: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
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