Andre Jackson Jr.'s future with the Milwaukee Bucks was murky as is, but Thanasis Antetokounmpo being back on the roster via a one-year deal provides some potential clarity. With a non-guaranteed contract for Jackson next year, it seems Milwaukee has chosen Antetokounmpo over Jackson to fill their final roster spot. That's not official, but it's certainly trending that way.
Jackson's future in Milwaukee is up in the air
With Thanasis taking the 15th guaranteed roster spot, both Jackson and Amir Coffey, who is on a training camp deal, are on the outside looking in. They appear destined to duke it out in camp for a chance to make the standard roster, which the Milwaukee Bucks would have to clear room for via a trade or other roster move.
Heading into camp, it feels like Coffey has the edge over Jackson if the Milwaukee Bucks plan to clear another roster spot. Not only is he the more experienced player, but his lethal perimeter shot makes him a perfect fit on this team. It would be flat-out shocking if the Bucks signed Coffey for camp and then let him walk out the door afterward. They must find a way to keep him around.
The writing has been on the wall about Jackson for a while. While he started a big chunk of last year, Doc Rivers clearly didn't trust him fully, pulling him out of games often. Once the Bucks made a trade for Kyle Kuzma, Jackson was taken out of the rotation entirely. Since then, the writing has been on the wall that he might not be long for Milwaukee moving forward.
It's tough to be a young player with the Bucks. With such a reliance on veterans, it's been difficult for young players to carve out roles for themselves, and they are often cast away. MarJon Beauchamp is the latest victim of this, and it feels like Andre Jackson Jr. is next in line.
If the Milwaukee Bucks do indeed part with Jackson soon, the question is how they will go about it. Will they straight up release him? They've already paid a good chunk of his salary, so it wouldn't cost too much. Could they trade him for anything at all? That certainly wouldn't hurt. Even a second round pick could be a fine enough return.
Only time will reveal Milwaukee's true feelings on Jackson, but it seems like they're already apparent.
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