Bucks Abruptly Cut Ties With $23 Million Guard After Playing 0 Games for Milwaukee

The Bucks cut ties with a $23 million guard after he played 0 game with the team.

Bucks Abruptly Cut Ties With $23 Million Guard After Playing 0 Games for Milwaukee originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been doing all they can to improve their team this offseason, and they're probably not done. After a disappointing few years, they knew it was time for a change, and free agency was the place to turn things around. They re-signed some key players and also made some big signings in free agency, such as Myles Turner, who left the Indiana Pacers to join the team.

All of this will hopefully make Giannis Antetokounmpo want to stay with the team, as some think he is still making a decision on if he wants to request a trade or not. 

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks with Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half at Fiserv Forum.Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

In order for the Bucks to sign Turner, they had to waive Damian Lillard, but they also had to waive guard Vasilije Micic, according to The Athletic.

"A league source tells The Athletic that, as part of a buyout, Micic agreed to give back $6.1 million, which shrunk the Bucks' cap hit on his contract from $8.1 million to only $2 million. Micić will now be able to pursue opportunities in Europe or the NBA," The Athletic wrote.

Micic was traded to the Bucks in exchange for Pat Connaughton and two second-round picks. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game across 41 regular-season games with the Hornets and Suns last year. Micic was also on a three-year, $23 million contract. 

It seemed like the Bucks knew that Micic wouldn't step on the floor for them when they traded for him, and they were able to sign Turner, which was their biggest addition so far in free agency.

Related: Surprising Bucks News Emerges on Myles Turner Amid NBA Free Agency on Tuesday

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

Category: Basketball