The Bucks will not have a first-round pick in 2019.
Milwaukee is sending Tony Snell and the No. 30 pick in Thursday’s draft to the Pistons in exchange for Jon Leuer, according to a report from ESPN, which cites unidentified league sources.
Pistons are sending Jon Leuer to Bucks. Bucks are sending 30th pick on Thursday in deal too. https://t.co/IkzjIDPhFi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2019
The deal saves the Bucks about $4 million this year and cleared Snell’s $12 million contract in 2020-21, the report says.
So the Pistons will be have the 15th and 30th picks in the draft on Thursday. Bucks saved $4M in salary this year, and won’t have Snell’s $12M in salary on books for 2020-21.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2019
Milwaukee can now create up to $14 million in cap space this summer, according to a separate report from ESPN.
Milwaukee could create up to $14M in room and bring back Brook Lopez using cap space. The $22M+ in cap holds of Malcolm Brogdon and Khris Middleton give Milwaukee an advantage when it comes to creating room. It also gives them a buffer when it comes to the tax.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 20, 2019
The Pistons hold the 15th, 30th and 45th picks in the 2019 draft. Snell could also develop into a reliable rotation player for them.
The 27-year-old wing averaged 6.0 points and 2.1 rebounds for Milwaukee last season. He shot 45.2% from the field and connected on 39.7% of his 3-point attempts.
The Bucks finished 2018-19 with a 60-22 record and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, where they fell to the Raptors in six games.
Detroit, meanwhile, earned the eighth seed in the East and was swept by Milwaukee in the first round.