The Milwaukkee Bucks needed to make a roster move before Monday’s deadline after deciding to keep training camp invitee Amir Coffey yesterday, and have reportedly made a decision. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Tyler Smith is not in attendance at Milwaukee’s annual open practice on Sunday and is expected to be waived.
“Forward Tyler Smith is not here,” Nehm tweeted. “Smith is expected to be released before the roster deadline for this season, but that roster move has not yet officially occurred.”
Why The Bucks Are Giving Up On Young Forward
Smith was seen as a project when the Bucks selected the 20-year-old with the No. 33 pick in 2024. The 6-10 forward, who played for the G-League Ignite in 2023-24, spent time between the G-League Wisconsin Herd and Milwaukee. He averaged 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in six minutes a game over 23 appearances for the Bucks last year.
Smith struggled shooting the ball during the summer league and during the preseason. He totaled three points, on 1 of 7 shooting (16.7%), and one rebound in 20 minutes of action over two games.
Bucks Keeping Amir Coffey
Milwaukkee entered the preseason with 16 players on standard contracts and a salary cap hit of $174.4 million. Thus, they are over $13 million below the luxury tax threshold. By deciding to keep Coffey, the Bucks had to make a roster move, and the decision came down to Andre Jackson Jr. and Smith. Smith’s $1.95 million salary was fully guaranteed, while only $800 000 of Jackson’s $2.21 million deal was fully guaranteed.
It is not surprising that the Bucks, who have designs on competing for an NBA championship, decide to keep Coffey and release Smith. Coffey is a versatile veteran “3-and-D” wing who is coming off a career season with the Los Angeles Clippers last season. He didn’t get a whole bunch of time during the preseason, but knocked down 5 of his 11 shots, including 3 of 7 from deep (42.9%).
Coffey figures to be a key part of the Bucks’ second unit, seeing time at the 2 and 3. He projects to be the fourth or fifth player off the bench, though it is possible he could earn spot starts.
“There will be nights where we can’t go with three guards [in the starting five], where we go with a Kuz [Kyle Kuzma], Amir, or TP [Taureen Prince]” – Doc Rivers recently said.
Tyler Smith Scouting Report
Smith is still in the developmental stage of his professional career. Smith is an athletic lefty shooting stretch big who attempts lots of threes — he has knocked down 13 of his 30 career 3-point attempts (43.3%). He also finishes nicely around the rim– on lobs and putbacks — and gets out in transition.
Overall, Smith is limited offensively. He does have potential as a rim-protector, but must improve as a rebounder. Defensively, he moves around the paint well, though adding strength and learning how to position himself needs work.
Saying that it is not surprising, as Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports, Smith is expected to draw interest from other teams; however, the next contract will be a “minor league deal.
“Have also heard Tyler Smith is expected to be released by Milwaukee, and should have several options on the two-way market, Fischer tweeted. “All looks like Andre Jackson Jr. will be sticking around the Bucks. He would have had a lot of two-way interest himself.”
Thirteen NBA teams have at least one two-way spot open, including six squads with multiple openings (As of Oct. 17). Brooklyn, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles Clippers, New York, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Orlando, Portland, Utah, and Washington are those teams.
© Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
The post Why The Bucks Are Giving Up On Young Forward Who Is Expected To Garner Offers From Other Teams appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.