Bucks expected to make contract decision on $23.5 million guard

The Milwaukee Bucks have stolen the show on the second day of free agency, and they are far from done.

Over the past few weeks, many were wondering how the Bucks could possibly begin to build around Giannis Antetokounmpo with limited flexibility. Yet, if these first 24 hours of free agency have told us anything, it’s that the Bucks are always ready to do what it takes to keep their superstar happy.

On Tuesday, the Bucks made the most shocking deal of free agency thus far, signing Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal after he had spent the first 10 years of his career with the Indiana Pacers. While Indiana was viewed as the clear favorite to sign him, it never offered the money Milwaukee was willing to.

Add in the team waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, and there has been no team more active. The Bucks have also made some smaller deals, sending Pat Connaughton and two second-round picks to Charlotte for Vasilije Micic.

While the deal seemed like a simple retool at first, it appears that Micic might not play a game in Milwaukee or even another NBA game at all. As The Athletic’s Eric Nehm reported on Tuesday, the team is likely going to work on a buyout with Micic to make room for the Turner signing and allow Micic to go back to Europe. 

Of course, Micic, a star in Europe, held off coming to the NBA for many years before signing a three-year, $23.5 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023 offseason. Just two years later, this is the fourth time Micic has been traded and the Bucks would be his fourth team, also spending time in Charlotte and Phoenix.

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The point guard gave the NBA a try, but his time in the league has been relatively underwhelming despite his clear talent.