Tyler Smith's future with the Milwaukee Bucks has been murky for a while now, but the recent move to cut Chris Livingston hints that it could be coming to an end soon. Like Livingston, Smith didn't feature much in Milwaukee's preseason rotation, with Doc Rivers opting to play others, even those who didn't have standard contracts. Livingston's departure could foreshadow their stance on Tyler Smith.
Tyler Smith's clock may be ticking
Milwaukee's roster crunch is still unsolved. After cutting Livingston, they have 14 players on standard contracts, three two-ways, and two players on the bubble in Andre Jackson Jr. (non-guaranteed deal) and Amir Coffey (Exhibit 9). Considering that Jackson and Coffey both earned minutes in every one of Milwaukee's preseason games, it's clear that Rivers likes them both, especially Coffey.
Currently, the Milwaukee Bucks have room for one of them. It feels like a matter of time before they make another move to clear room for the other one. Looking up and down the roster, Smith is the obvious choice to go. While some might think Gary Harris is the best choice, the Bucks gave him a player option for next season. They likely don't want to eat that dead money.
Cutting Tyler Smith, if it does indeed happen, will hurt. He's one of the lone draft picks they've made in recent years and was just about to enter his second NBA season. A smooth-shooting big man with an eye-popping amount of athleticism, there is a lot to like about him. However, just like AJ Johnson, his fellow 2024 draft mate, Smith might not make it to year two with the Milwaukee Bucks.
If the Bucks do cut Smith following the Livingston move to sign both Jackson and Coffey, it will be a justifiable move. Jackson spent plenty of time starting last year, and Coffey has been in the NBA for six years. They are experienced and ready to contribute when called upon. Meanwhile, Livingston and Smith are raw, inexperienced, and unlikely to contribute this coming season.
Livingston (22) and Smith (20) are still young and potential-filled players. If both hit the market, the likelihood of someone picking them up, even on low-risk flyers, feels high. They weren't going to play key roles in Milwaukee, so perhaps they can land in a spot where legitimate minutes are tangible to take a step forward.
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