Tyler Smith's time in a Milwaukee Bucks jersey is seemingly set to end. Per The Athletic's Eric Nehm and NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks are expected to release Smith ahead of the new season to cut their roster down to 15 standard players. Now, after a summer of uncertainty, fans will get clarity on the new-look roster as soon as this move is official.
Bucks expected to cut sophomore second round pick
Cutting Smith won't do anything to help salvage Milwaukee's brutal draft record over the last decade. Year after year, the team has had opportunities to add young pieces but has failed to capitalize. That's particularly evident with Smith, who was the 33rd overall pick a year ago. Now, after just one season, he is destined to be released.
While it hurts seeing another failed draft experiment, the reasoning behind it makes sense. To make room for Andre Jackson Jr. and Amir Coffey, the Bucks had to cut ties with Chris Livingston and what will eventually be Smith. Unlike Livingston and Smith, Jackson and Coffey have NBA experience and may be ready to help this team sooner rather than later.
The decision to cut Livingston and Smith does highlight a flaw in Milwaukee's recent draft strategy. Whether it's Livingston, Smith, AJ Johnson, or Bogoljub Markovic, the Bucks continue to take swings in the form of young, raw prospects who will, in all likelihood, need years to develop before they are ready to step on the court. That doesn't help a contending team like the Milwaukee Bucks too much.
If Smith is cut, he won't be without a home for long. Fischer reports that Smith is expected to garner plenty of interest on the two-way market, which is the best spot for him. No matter who he signs with, Smith can spend next season developing down in the G League without taking up a legitimate spot on the roster. Still just 20 years old, he has plenty of room to grow and is full of potential.
Once Smith is officially cut, it will guarantee that Andre Jackson Jr. has made the final roster after a summer full of question marks. With a non-guaranteed salary, Jackson had his back against the wall as he looked to prove he was worth keeping. The Bucks clearly liked what they saw from him during the preseason, considering they are cutting fully guaranteed contracts to keep him.
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