The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to waive Marques Bolden, a former three-year Duke basketball center, on the last day to cut players with partially guaranteed contracts.
The 25-year-old Texas native secured a two-way contract with the Bucks in late October, marking his return to the NBA after being out of the league since the 2020-21 season. Despite the initial excitement, Bolden’s limited contributions on the court were unsurprising, as he played only two games for the Bucks in a fifth-string role, accumulating a mere three minutes of playtime.
Bolden, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound center, went undrafted in 2019 after leaving Duke following his junior year. During his time at Duke, he started around two-thirds of the games, playing alongside notable freshmen like Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones. Bolden’s brief stint with the Bucks this season saw him coming off the bench twice, managing to grab two rebounds but failing to add to his career total of seven points in the NBA.
Following his release from the Bucks, it is anticipated that Bolden might continue his basketball journey by competing for the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, or explore opportunities elsewhere. In the current G League season, he has played in 16 games for the Herd, averaging 13.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Meanwhile, the Bucks, who had high expectations for the 2023-24 season after acquiring Damian Lillard, have faced challenges on the court. Despite Lillard’s impressive performance, the team has struggled, currently holding a 25-11 record and standing in second place in the Eastern Conference. Lillard, who joined the Bucks in the preseason and has played 34 games this season, will be absent from the upcoming clash against the Utah Jazz due to personal reasons, according to David Locke, the Jazz’s play-by-play announcer.
Lillard’s trade request in the offseason initially excluded the Bucks from consideration, with the Miami Heat being the preferred destination. However, when talks with the Heat faltered, the Bucks emerged as a viable option for Lillard, ultimately leading to his decision to join the team. Despite the challenges, the Bucks remain focused on their championship aspirations in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Leave a Reply