Forgotten in the Milwaukee Bucks' summer of hectic moves is the signing of Mark Sears, who swiftly joined the team following the 2025 NBA Draft. A rookie on a two-way contract, it will be hard for Sears to carve out legitimate minutes for himself this coming season. That's why the Milwaukee Bucks will likely use this as a development year for the youngster, assigning him to the G League.
Sears must make his presence felt in Oshkosh
Don't be surprised if Sears is the headliner for the Wisconsin Herd this coming season. Given that he is on a two-way contract, the guard can spend time in both the NBA and the G League, though he will not be eligible for the big league playoffs. He'll get reps with the Bucks in practice and mop-up duty, but when it comes to legitimate game action, the Herd will be his best bet.
Given his two-way status, Sears will have to grind if he wants to make it onto the standard roster at some point. Recent years have shown that the path from two-way to standard contract to extension is more than possible. Ryan Rollins and AJ Green both began their Bucks journeys on two-ways and earned standard deals, with Rollins having inked an extension this summer. Green is due for one.
Milwaukee will likely keep tabs on Sears and monitor his development. If he takes strides, there's a good chance he could earn a promotion next summer, especially with Kevin Porter Jr. and Bucks newcomer and potential X-factor Cole Anthony being eligible for NBA Free Agency. Sears could make the jump if he looks like he's ready.
Sears has the tools to be an impactful piece at the next level. Many have compared him to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, and the comparison extends beyond both being smaller guards. They're both incredibly crafty scorers who can create their own shot from anywhere on the floor and also get to the line. Even if he's not Brunson, a spark like that could go a long way for the Bucks.
Training camp will be the first opportunity Sears has to show what he's made of. An injury forced him to miss the entirety of Summer League, which would have been a great first look. This storyline won't be among the team's most pressing question marks, but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.
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