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Today, the Bucks made a lot of things official. There were some pens put to paper, and there were definitely several handshakes administered throughout the afternoon. Let’s dive right in.
Bucks sign D.J. Wilson
Milwaukee signed the 17th overall selection out of Michigan to a rookie scale contract today. Specific terms were not disclosed in accordance with team policy, but here is a rough look at the finances of a rookie scale contract in this draft class.
Wilson has already received the Milwaukee crash course (Summerfest, Miller Park, a mini-golf course out in Brookfield/Waukesha that I saw him enter as I was leaving), and will now be a featured player on the Bucks LVSL roster, whose first game is Friday at 5:30 p.m. CST.
grateful and blessed! https://t.co/8IZKsTdGT3
— D.J. Wilson (@Lanky_Smoove) July 6, 2017
Bucks acquire the draft rights to Sterling Brown
After several concerned tweets about him, Sterling Brown officially became a member of the Bucks, as the moratorium period closed and the Bucks’ transaction with the Sixers was finally completed. Brown, a 6’6” guard out of SMU, will now join the Summer Bucks in Vegas and will be participating, though it’s unclear if the delay in making things official has any impact on tomorrow afternoon’s game. We’ll see.
UPDATE: The Vertical’s Shams Charania reports that Brown has signed his rookie contract. The Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez reported last night that Brown would not play without a contract, so this bodes well for Brown making his Bucks debut tonight. As for particulars on the contract, our old friend Frank Madden noted that the Bucks tend to give their second-round rookies a little more money in year one of their deal. This deal has two guaranteed years included in it.
Bucks always sign their 2nd rounders to 3-year deals with >min in year one, so will use up part of MLE. Yay, less money for Derrick Rose!
— FrankMadden (@fmaddenNBA) July 7, 2017
Bucks sign Koenig to two-way contract, Lewis to free agent contract
Star Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig made his signing official today as well, inking a two-way contract and becoming the first member of the Wisconsin Herd.
Wisconsin native @BronsonK_24 is officially the first player on the @WisconsinHerd roster!! #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/F5iHt1FktZ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 6, 2017
If you’re still a little confused what a two-way contract is, don’t fret. It’s brand new, and the Bucks provided an explainer in their press release of the signing.
“NBA rules permit teams to have two Two-Way players on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster. A Two-Way player for the Bucks will provide services primarily for the team’s G League affiliate – the Wisconsin Herd – but can spend up to 45 days with Milwaukee, not including any time prior to the start of the Herd’s training camp and at the conclusion of his season.”
"It mean everything, staying in my home state of Wisconsin...I'm really fortunate." - @BronsonK_24 pic.twitter.com/Zv6uvhIXmB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 6, 2017
Additionally, the Bucks signed VCU guard JeQuan Lewis to a free agent contract. Based on the language that was used, it’s likely that the Bucks signed Lewis to a non-guaranteed deal that will allow them to get a prolonged look at him through Summer League and as the Bucks and Herd training camps begin. Both Koenig and Lewis will be participating in Summer League as well. Just under 24 hours to go!