The Milwaukee Bucks trimmed the first of two roster spots by waiving Pete Nance over the weekend. Considering that he was on a non-guaranteed contract, this wasn't shocking. However, even though he got cut, it wouldn't be surprising if Nance stayed in town, given that he is still eligible for a two-way deal, and the Bucks have one available.
Bucks could retain Nance via a two-way
Prior to Nance being cut, NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required) reported that the Bucks would like to keep the big man. The nature of his contract always made it hard to see a path for him to stick around on a standard deal, but with an open two-way spot, Milwaukee has a clear way to keep him on a different kind of contract.
Nance is more than deserving of a two-way contract. While he's never put up the flashiest numbers, his success has always come from his willingness to be a jack of all trades and embrace whatever he is asked to do. He is one of the latest success stories to come from Milwaukee's G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, and it would be tough to see him go.
That is especially true because Fischer reports that the Milwaukee Bucks have at least explored the market for big man Jericho Sims in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers. If traded, Nance could step into that third-string big man role, even if he is on a two-way contract. If he returns on a two-way, it would likely be temporary, as the Bucks would sign him to a standard when a spot opens.
For now, Bucks must play the waiting game
It's not as simple as handing Nance a two-way contract after waiving him for Milwaukee. They must keep their fingers crossed that he clears waivers, as another team could snag him. Given the flashes he's shown and the need for backup big men across the NBA, someone else picking him up would be far from a stunner. The Milwaukee Bucks must be on the edge of their seat.
More moves are coming. In addition to potentially retaining Nance, the Milwaukee Bucks still need to part with one more player on a standard contract. Beyond Sims, Fischer notes that Caris LeVert and Kevin Porter Jr. have also come up in trade talks. Nance was the Bucks' first sacrifice, and everyone is waiting to see who is next.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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