The Milwaukee Bucks have not really been big players in NBA free agency, but they sure have dominated the headlines. After re-signing Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder, the team also signed Malik Beasley and Robin Lopez.
Milwaukee also made moves to help make their roster younger by trading up in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. They took Andre Jackson Jr. with the 36th overall pick and Chris Livingston with the 58th and final pick. It is Livingston’s recent signing that has made NBA history.
The Milwaukee Bucks Give Chris Livingston the Most Money Ever for a Final NBA Draft Pick
Over the weekend, Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that the Bucks and Livingston agreed to a four-year $7.7 million contract:
The Bucks are signing F Chris Livingston to a four-year, $7.7 million rookie deal, CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul and agent Brandon Cavanaugh tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. First two years guaranteed. It’s the largest ever total salary for the final pick in the NBA Draft. https://t.co/Oa14M5vPTg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2023
Interestingly, Livingston’s agents were reported to have told other NBA teams during the draft not to draft him because they knew what team wanted him the most and where he wanted to go. As it turns out, that was Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Bucks Have Ended Up with the Last 4 Final Picks
What makes Livingston’s deal with the Bucks so special is that, not only is it the largest contract in NBA history for the final pick in any draft, but that Milwaukee is committing to him after also taking on the final picks in the previous three NBA Drafts, and choosing not to do so.
The final pick of the last 4 NBA Drafts all ended up with the Milwaukee Bucks. (Sam Merrill, Georgios Kalaitzakis, Hugo Besson, Chris Livingston) pic.twitter.com/bedTPwiBQC
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) June 24, 2023
Sam Merrill, of course, was traded after the Bucks won the NBA Finals for Grayson Allen. Georgios Kalatzakis and Hugo Besson are both under club control, but still play in Europe during the season.
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