Further details revealed on new Bucks changes to guard's contract

Alex Kirschenbaum

Further details revealed on new Bucks changes to guard's contract image

More intel has been revealed about a young Milwaukee Bucks guard's tweaked contract with the team.

Milwaukee initially had until July 7 to guarantee the $2.2 million non-guaranteed contract of young shooting guard Andre Jackson Jr. this summer. In exchange for delaying that deal a bit so that they could explore more free agent options, the Bucks agreed to guarantee at least part of Jackson's contract.

The Bucks seem likely to be casing the market for some backcourt reinforcements. Among available unrestricted free agent guards, former 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, former Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, and De'Anthony Melton are the most appetizing remaining guard options. Russell Westbrook is also still very available.

READ MORE: Bucks delay major contract decision on young guard

Given Milwaukee's decision to stretch-and-waive the contract of starting All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, a lead playmaker specifically might be ideal.

Restricted free agents Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes and Cam Thomas are likely out of Milwaukee's price range.

Now, it appears we know how much Jackson will be getting if his full deal isn't guaranteed.

According to Spotrac's Keith Smith, Jackson will now earn $800,000 towards his full contract. The deal will become fully guaranteed on the first night of the 2025-26 NBA season.

The 6-foot-6 University of Connecticut product, 23, was a starter for head coach Doc Rivers more often than not last year, earning the call in 43 of his 67 contests. An athletic-if-raw swingman, Jackson's defense helped compensate for starting backcourt mate Damian Lillard's shortcomings on that end last year.

Across those 67 games, Jackson averaged 3.4 points while slashing .477/.395/.500, plus 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 steals a night.

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Alex Kirschenbaum

Alex Kirschenbaum is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He grew up a devout Bulls fan, but his hoops fanaticism now extends to non-Bulls teams in adulthood. Currently also a scribe for Hoops Rumors, Athlon Sports and "Small Soldiers" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Sports Illustrated's On SI fan sites, Newsweek, Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.