Image Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Cole Anthony Agrees to Contract Buyout With Memphis Grizzlies, Likely to Sign with Milwaukee Bucks

Anthony was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and spent five seasons with the Orlando Magic.

Image Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Cole Anthony has reportedly agreed to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, and is likely to join the Milwaukee Bucks. According to NBA insider, Shams Charania of ESPN, both Grizzlies and Anthony have agreed to a buyout and the guard will sign with the Bucks after clearing the waivers. The reports further state that Grizzlies finalized the buyout with Excel Sports’ Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips for Anthony’s new opportunity.

Notably, Anthony was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and spent five seasons with the Orlando Magic. He was traded to the Grizzlies in a deal that sent Desmond Bane to the Magic but didn’t spend any of the 2024-25 season with the Grizzlies. In the recent past season, he dropped an average of 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Anthony was shooting 42.4% from the field and 35.3% from the three-point arc.

Cole Anthony has agreed to a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks after he clears waivers, sources tell ESPN. Grizzlies finalized the buyout with Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips of Excel Sports for Anthony's new opportunity. pic.twitter.com/HnCsmxaqcz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2025

How is Cole Anthony Expected to Contribute for Milwaukee Bucks?

Notably, the 25-year-old lacks qualitative defense but is known for his playmaking skills and knows how to take care of the ball. He can be expected to take care of the Bucks’ offense in the forthcoming season if the deal gets finalized. Not only this, but he will also add more youth and athleticism in the Bucks’ new vision. Anthony is expected to make $13.1 million and the buyout is expected to be around what he gets with the Bucks, which is veteran minimum.

It is expected that the Grizzlies would stretch more than $10 million in Anthony’s salary over three seasons since he has one guaranteed year left on the contract. For the Grizzlies, the deal will create a pathway for the necessary cap space to make Jaren Jackson Jr. ‘s five-year deal official. Moreover, they would also be able to sign Ty Jerome and Santi Aldama to new contracts.

Cole Anthony

Memphis Grizzlies

Milwaukee Bucks

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.