The plan felt simple. After signing Amir Coffey to a training camp deal, the Milwaukee Bucks would waive Andre Jackson Jr., whose salary is not fully guaranteed for next season, to clear a standard roster spot for Coffey. However, the signing of Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a standard contract has thrown a wrench into those plans. Now, the team must get creative with their roster maneuvering if they want to keep Coffey.
Bucks have a roster crunch with no clear path forward... yet
Following the signing of Thanasis, the Bucks have 16 standard contracts plus Coffey's training camp deal on the payroll. With only 15 standard players allowed once the NBA season begins, there will be roster moves in the coming weeks. It's far easier said than done, but those moves should absolutely involve finding a way to keep Amir Coffey in town beyond just training camp.
Coffey wouldn't be a game-changer for Milwaukee, but for a team that is low on small forward depth, having him wouldn't hurt. In fact, one could argue that he's their best option at the position right now, and he's not even on the standard roster. It would be shocking if they only kept him in town for camp, but right now, that's their only option.
The most obvious - yet painful - pathway involves giving up on a promising young player. Tyler Smith is about to enter his second NBA season, but if the Milwaukee Bucks believe Coffey can make more of an impact, they could use Smith as a salary dump in a trade. Something similar to how the Hawks just dumped Kobe Bufkin to the Nets would be a good blueprint.
Regarding Jackson, his fate already feels sealed. There's about a 99 percent chance he won't be on the opening night roster, as his contract is the easiest to part ways with. Even if Jackson is a better player than someone like Gary Harris or Chris Livingston, both of them earned standard deals this summer, and the Bucks already have enough dead money on their books to cut one or both of them.
It's only a matter of time before Jackson is let go. That will make room for Thanasis, but questions will persist about Coffey. Bringing Thanasis Antetokounmpo back is a fine move. Everyone knows what he means to this locker room and his brother, Giannis. However, it would have made much more sense to figure out Coffey's situation before handing him a fully guaranteed contract.
Keep an eye on decision-maker Jon Horst and the Milwaukee Bucks over the next few weeks as they sort through this log-jammed roster. Bringing Coffey in for just training camp doesn't feel like a move they would make. Perhaps the Bucks front office has something up its sleeve.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.