The Milwaukee Bucks have bolstered their roster for the 2025-26 season by signing Amir Coffey and Thanasis Antetokounmpo in the past month.
Both players will benefit the Bucks — Coffey will add rotational depth, while Antetokounmpo will aid in the team’s efforts to keep his brother, Giannis Antetokounmpo, in Milwaukee. But they have also created a strain on the roster, meaning someone will have to leave the team before the campaign begins.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, that player could be third-year guard Andre Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. presents the Bucks with a cost-effective solution to roster crunch
In signing Coffey and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have placed themselves in a difficult position.
The number of players on the Bucks’ active roster stood at 15 prior to both their acquisitions. Thanasis Antetokounmpo is widely believed to have a guaranteed roster spot, according to Siegel, while Coffey will fight for one during training camp. That means the Bucks will have to part ways with at least one player before the start of the season.
Siegel wrote that Jackson Jr. is one of the few expandable options on the Bucks’ roster, especially when considering the financial ramifications of moving him during the offseason. Jackson Jr.’s contract, which will compensate him $2.2 million in 2025-26, will not become fully guaranteed until opening night. Only $800,000 was guaranteed at the time of signing, meaning the Bucks could be off the hook for the remaining $1.4 million if he is no longer part of the team.
Such a decision also wouldn’t be the first time the Bucks have considered parting ways with Jackson Jr.
“While the team has believed in his potential, the 23-year-old was on the trade block before last season’s trade deadline, league sources told ClutchPoints,” Siegel wrote. “The Bucks were seeking two second-round picks in a trade for Jackson, but they never received an offer including more than one second-round pick.”
The Bucks may not be able to receive a return package to their liking, but their previous efforts in dealing him away make him the most likely candidate to be moved in Siegel’s eyes.
“Teams like the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets could be interested in striking a deal with the Bucks before the start of training camp for Jackson, especially if they are to receive draft compensation from Milwaukee,” Siegel wrote. “Since other organizations know that the Bucks need to clear a roster spot, it will be virtually impossible for them to receive value in return for a player like Jackson or another minimum-contract-like player.
“That is why Jackson is a potential player who could be waived by the Bucks after signing [Thanasis] Antetokounmpo.”
The Orlando Magic initially selected Jackson Jr. with the 36th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but his rights were traded to Milwaukee on the night of the event. He has since appeared in 124 regular-season contests (including 51 starts) for the Bucks, averaging 12.5 minutes played, 2.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
