Since the Milwaukee Bucks have not yet converted him from a two-way deal to a standard contract, Pete Nance's season is about to end due to a lack of eligibility. It would be a frustrating reality for him, as he is currently enjoying a miniature breakout due to an extended opportunity in the frontcourt. It's not like the Bucks have to accept this fate, though.
Even if he wouldn't be playoff eligible—and it doesn't look like the Milwaukee Bucks will be making it there anyway—Nance could still play out the rest of the regular season if he gets a standard contract. But the Bucks currently don't have room. Well, they could make some, and if that is a route they want to explore, waiving Andre Jackson Jr. makes the most sense.
Andre Jackson Jr. is the obvious candidate to be waived
Looking up and down Milwaukee's roster, most of the candidates to be waived have player options for next season, which would give the Bucks more dead money to eat. The Bucks are already tied to the money owed to Damian Lillard; they don't want more. The three candidates who have no guaranteed money beyond this year are Cam Thomas, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Andre Jackson Jr.
Jackson is the clear candidate among the three because he hasn't shown at least some sort of potential in his recent playing time and/or isn't related to the team's star player.
After starting a good chunk of last season, Jackson is averaging a career-low 5.9 minutes per game this season, struggling to get off the bench most nights. Rather than keeping him and not giving him any opportunities, the Bucks might find it more rewarding to give his spot to Nance, who is averaging 15.4 minutes per game this month and showing legitimate promise.
Bucks would have to cut ties with yet another draft pick
Milwaukee's draft record in the Jon Horst era has been a noteworthy weakness, especially in recent years. MarJon Beauchamp was in and out of the rotation before getting traded. Chris Livingston had plenty of potential but never got his shot. AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith, both of Milwaukee's picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, aren't even on the roster less than two years after being selected.
Cutting Jackson would signal that the Bucks understand they missed on yet another pick, which would come with justifiable frustration. The guard still has some potential, but the team just hasn't been able to unearth it. Whether that is a Jackson issue or a Doc Rivers issue is up for debate, but it won't matter if he gets sent packing to hand Pete Nance his spot on the roster.
Milwaukee's ugly draft record could get even worse in the coming days.
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