In separate deals, Andre Jackson Jr. and Cole Anthony have agreed to deals with new teams, with A-Jax heading north of the border to the Toronto Raptors and Anthony travelling across the pond to Australia’s Melbourne United.
Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Jackson is heading to the Raptors in an attempt to prolong his NBA career after failing to establish himself with the Bucks over the last three seasons.
The Toronto Raptors and Andre Jackson Jr. have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype.
He’ll compete for a roster spot with the Raptors. He spent the past three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. pic.twitter.com/2r6BxS8yVe
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 5, 2026
A second-round pick in 2023, Jackson projected as an athletic wing stopper for the Bucks and a position was there for the taking. But despite his stifling defence in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some occasional highlight plays—rumour has it his putback dunk against the Kings still reverberates in Sacramento—he just wasn’t able to put it together in Milwaukee. In total, he played 172 games for the Bucks, averaging 2.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG in 11.4 MPG.
On the other hand, Cole Anthony, last season’s reserve point guard for the Bucks—at least to start the season—has signed with Melbourne United in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), per a release from the team. According to the release, Anthony is thrilled about his new adventure:
I’m super excited to begin this journey with Melbourne United. This is a great opportunity to continue growing as a player and compete for a championship. I’m ready to get to work and can’t wait to represent the club and meet the fans!
Drafted 15th overall in 2020 by the Orlando Magic, Anthony was a welcome signing by the Bucks last offseason after negotiating a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies. Anthony spent 35 games with the Bucks—all off the bench—averaging 6.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 3.5 APG in 15.1 MPG. He was particularly effective in the opening week and a half of the season, with standout games in wins against the Toronto Raptors (23 points, seven assists) and the Golden State Warriors (16 points, two assists).
But Anthony couldn’t maintain his form and his minutes dwindled. In February, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Amir Coffey in a three-team deal that brought Ousmane Dieng to the Bucks. Just 22 days later, he was waived.
While Jackson will likely have to earn a roster spot with the Raptors and Anthony has had to leave the NBA to continue his career, they’ll forever hold a place in Bucks history.
All the best, fellas.
While Anthony’s exit from the NBA points to Jon Horst’s continued masterwork as a trader—the Bucks clearly got back the best player in that deal—Jackson’s Raptors lifeline raises another question about his drafting resume. Agree?
