If the Milwaukee Bucks' deal to obtain Sacramento Kings' forward Bogdan Bogdanovic in exchange for Donte DiVincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Wilson wasn't already a failed mission, the chances of it being completed became practically null and void on Thursday.
The Bucks elected to waive Ilyasova, who was a key component in the Bogdanovic deal that would've sent the Turkish stretch four to Sacramento in a package deal, according to The Athletic‘s Sham Charania:
Milwaukee is waiving forward Ersan Ilyasova, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 19, 2020
The Bucks had agreed in principle on a trade that would've sent Ilyasova, DiVincenzo and Wilson to Sacramento in exchange for the services of Bogdanovic. Milwaukee had simultaneously completed a deal for Jrue Holiday in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and a few picks. The initial plan was to obtain both players in hope of enticing Giannis Antetokounmpo into staying with the franchise beyond his pending free agency in 2021.
However, reports began to surface that Bogdanovic, a pending restricted free agent, never agreed to being dealt to the Bucks. The rumored deal would've required his stamp of approval with a new contract signed upon him being traded. The Bosnian marksman officially opted out of his deal with the Kings on Wednesday, which made the idea of agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the Bucks far-fetched now. With the Bucks now deciding to waive Ilyasova, it appears that they'll go in a completely different direction with their pursuits of landing another high-caliber player alongside Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks are still on the clock in their attempts to prove to the reigning MVP that their franchise is worth re-signing with in hopes of winning his first championship. If they're unable to complete another significant trade, it could change the tide of the 2021 offseason.
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