The Milwaukee Bucks have officially signed Cormac Ryan to a two-way contract. Fans wondered if the team had forgotten about Milwaukee's open two-way slot, which had been vacant since Jan. 7, when the team waived Mark Sears, but now, it has been filled. With all three of the Bucks' two-way contracts filled and all of the standard spots occupied, the roster is full.
Bucks sign G League stud to a two-way contract
Plenty of Bucks fans speculated that this move would be coming. Ryan, who spent Summer League with Milwaukee last offseason, had been playing for the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee's G League affiliate, this season. With wing depth a necessity in today's NBA, it made sense to stock up on it in the form of a player who could further bolster it.
Ryan has also made it hard to ignore him, putting together an excellent season in Oshkosh. Over the course of the season, he's averaged 21.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting an electric 44.2 percent from deep. The NBA is obviously a different beast than the G League, but with numbers like that, it makes plenty of sense to get a closer look at Ryan.
That is particularly true after the last performance he had with the Herd, where Ryan put up 36 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
It must be noted that Ryan isn't some unheard-of, raw prospect like a lot of two-way players across the NBA. He's 27. He's been around for many years, just not in the NBA. To date, he hasn't played in a single NBA game. Yet, he just got his big break, and this is more than just a feel-good story. Ryan has what it takes to potentially help the Milwaukee Bucks down the line.
Nothing is set in stone, but this summer, it feels like Gary Trent Jr. is as good as gone, as his role has vanished in recent weeks. It would make sense for him to seek an opportunity where he could play. Ryan isn't a seamless replacement, but he has shown the type of shooting, defense, and tenacity that could make him a valuable contributor on the wing.
Of course, the Milwaukee Bucks can cross that bridge when they get there. For now, he'll stay on that two-way contract and get a chance to practice in the big leagues and get some occasional action.
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