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Bucks waive former 2nd-round pick, G-League star amid preseason roster cuts

Chris Livingston’s Milwaukee Bucks experience could be explained by a popular meme from “The Simpsons” without further comment.

Chris Livingston’s Milwaukee Bucks experience pic.twitter.com/q7rlZMdMfR

— Ezsniper14 (@ezsniper14) October 16, 2025

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are waiving the third-year forward for a second time in several months, three months to the day of giving him a one-year guaranteed contract this summer. That was after they waived him the first time. This time, though, Livingston probably won’t be back.

Before giving him the switcharoo, the Bucks had the decency, at least, to wait until the day after his 22nd birthday. For Livingston and the Bucks, the move ends an awkward relationship that never really got off the ground.

New deal, no dice

The Bucks drafted Livingston out of Kentucky 58th overall in 2023, then installed him in the G League alongside a smattering of garbage time minutes in the NBA. In two seasons, he appeared in 42 games, started once, and four times played 10 minutes or more. The highlight of his 2024-25 campaign was a start at center against the Thunder on a day when just about every Bucks regular sat out for one reason or another. In that game, Livingston scored a career-best 10 points to go with six boards and two steals.

Mar 19, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Chris Livingston (24) reacts to a basket during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round of the 2023 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Capitalizing on his strength and physicality, Livingston dominated in the G League, averaging 18 points and 7.9 rebounds in 11 games last year. But while he produced at higher volume than in his rookie season, his 3-point shooting fell off in a major way, from 37.7% to 28.3. He made one 3-pointer in 13 attempts in the NBA. Knockdown shooting is a key skill for wing players in today’s game, and Livingston’s lack of a consistent shot leaves him without a clear role in the league.

Even coming off another strong Summer League for Livingston, the contract never made much sense given his track record and lack of a clear role. How he would get minutes wasn’t clear before the Bucks signed Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey.

Livingston wasn’t even bad in the preseason. In two games, he scored 17 points in 21 total minutes. But Doc Rivers kept him off the floor in games three and four, giving minutes instead to Andre Jackson Jr. and Coffey. If the Bucks’ stance on Livingston wasn’t clear then, it certainly felt as though his roster spot could be in jeopardy.

Milwaukee forward Chris Livingston (7) shoots over Oklahoma City center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) in the third quarter during an NBA game between Oklahoma City and Milwaukee at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

Indeed the front office decided it was worth eating his $2.3 million salary rather than part first with the likes of Jackson (owed $800,000 guaranteed) or Coffey (non-guaranteed). A somewhat unexpected initial cut – before, it seemed Jackson was already out the door – Livingston won’t be the last Buck to get the pink slip.

With 16 candidates for the 15-man roster, the team will have to announce a second cut some time between now and opening night on October 22. At this juncture, sophomore forward Tyler Smith would seem to be the leading candidate. Smith had a poor Summer league aside from one game and did not look good in limited preseason reps. Like Livingston, he logged DNPs in the last two contests.

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