With no roster room and no trade to make a spot, the Milwaukee Bucks waived Pete Nance amid their ongoing logjam over the weekend. Per NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required), the Bucks do want to keep Nance on a two-way contract despite cutting him, but he says that several other teams still have two-ways available that could be used to poach him.
Nance returning to Bucks isn't a sure thing
Fischer specifically notes that several "contenders" are eyeing Nance. While the Milwaukee Bucks may be better than some are giving them credit for this season, they might not be true contenders. Perhaps the opportunity to play for a team that has legitimate title aspirations and playing time can be enticing to the forward.
Right off the bat, the Phoenix Suns make plenty of sense. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto notes that they are on the hunt for frontcourt depth via a two-way deal after cutting Koby Brea. With starting center Mark Williams out for the foreseeable future, Nance could have a legitimate opportunity to spread his wings there and work his way onto the standard roster.
That's just one team. There are countless more lurking, and that should scare the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nance would fit with Bucks, but business is business
The Milwaukee Bucks knew the risk when they waived Pete Nance, putting him out in the open for any other team to make a pitch or claim him off waivers. Losing him could be the cost of failing to come to terms on a trade to make roster room. If the Bucks truly want to keep the big man, their best bet is to clear two roster spots, which would give them one free slot to give to Nance. That's unlikely, though.
Instead, the Bucks better hope familiarity and continuity are important to Nance. Over the last year, Nance has blossomed with the team, going from a G League contributor to a legitimate NBA player who can help when given an opportunity. While the center position is somewhat full now, Nance will have an opportunity to make his mark in time, especially if the Bucks were to make a trade.
For now, all the Milwaukee Bucks can do is wait. The first step is seeing if Nance clears waivers. After that, they must make their pitch to him on a two-way deal, hoping that it's stronger than what anyone else is offering him.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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