Damian Lillard made a strong impact during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, and replacing him won’t be easy. But the team is already moving forward, and according to a new report, it is close to bringing in a new piece—one who previously played alongside Paolo Banchero.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, the player in question is Cole Anthony, who is finalizing the final steps of a contract buyout. Once that process is complete, he’s expected to sign with the Bucks.
“Cole Anthony has agreed to a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks after he clears waivers, sources tell ESPN. Grizzlies finalized the buyout with Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips of Excel Sports for Anthony’s new opportunity,” Charania reported on X.
A Solid Pickup for Milwaukee’s Bench
Anthony has steadily improved year over year, playing a key bench role since the 2022–23 season. He’s averaged 11.3 points per game over the last three seasons and appeared in 67 games last year alongside Paolo Banchero in Orlando, where he has played since entering the league in 2020.
Last season, the Bucks relied heavily on Gary Trent Jr. and A.J. Green as their primary contributors off the bench. Both are still under contract for one more season, but their long-term future with the team remains unclear.
Trying to Fill the Void
Lillard’s departure left a major gap in the Bucks’ rotation. The veteran guard averaged 24.9 points per game in the regular season—second-highest on the team. Milwaukee now faces the challenge of reshaping its backcourt and finding a point guard who can either step into that role or provide valuable support off the bench.