After signing Gary Trent Jr. last week, the Bucks filled their standard roster, but many noticed the lack of frontcourt depth to support Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis at the center position. With only Exhibit 10 and two-way contracts available, Milwaukee opted to sign 28-year-old Latvian Anžejs Pasečņiks, formerly of the Washington Wizards. As reported by Woj:
Free agent center Anzejs Pasecniks is signing a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, his agent @ArtursKalnitis of @BsaAgency tells ESPN. The Latvian 7-footer played parts of two NBA seasons with Washington. pic.twitter.com/BsnVaTy3HD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2024
Pasečņiks, the 25th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, was initially a draft-and-stash for the Sixers, acquired in a draft night trade from the Magic. After starting his career in Riga, he played four seasons in Spain with Herbalife Gran Canaria, eventually joining their first division team. Post-draft, he spent two more seasons in the ACB before moving to the US. By then, Philly had renounced his rights, leading him to join Washington for the 2019 Summer League and their training camp. Though waived, he signed a two-way contract in December, which was converted to a standard deal in January 2020. He played 28 games for the Wizards across the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons before being waived in January.
Pasečņiks’ NBA stats (5.6 PPG on .526/.000/.586 shooting and 3.9 RPG in 15.8 MPG) are modest, but he did play 15 games with Washington’s G League affiliate in the 2019–20 season, averaging 10.1 PPG on .565/.000/.650 shooting and 5.0 RPG in 20.8 MPG. Standing at 7’1” and 229 pounds, he spent time in Spain and France after leaving the NBA, playing alongside notable players like Victor Wembanyama, Bilal Coulibaly, and Hugo Besson.
Pasečņiks, now the tallest player on the Bucks alongside Lopez, fills a need for frontcourt depth. Over the past two seasons, rotation minutes at the center position were divided among Lopez, Portis, and Giannis. If any of these players miss time, Pasečņiks can provide necessary backup, addressing the depth issue that was a concern last season when Lopez was injured. This role was previously filled by Robin Lopez and Danilo Gallinari after Robin was traded.
Pasečņiks is not expected to take significant playing time from Portis or Lopez, especially with this being a two-way contract. While Lopez may play fewer minutes in his age-36 season, Coach Doc Rivers can allocate those minutes to Giannis or Portis without much impact on the team’s performance.
The Bucks already have three players on two-way contracts: Stanley Umude, Ryan Rollins, and Jaylin Galloway. With two-way contracts being non-guaranteed, the Bucks can waive one of these players without financial consequences. Umude, who missed Summer League due to an ankle injury, seems likely to remain on the roster if his injury is not serious. Rollins, a former second-round pick, looked promising in Vegas and provides needed depth at the point guard position.
This leaves Galloway as the likely odd man out. The 6’6” Australian did not play in the NBA last season and had limited impact in the Summer League and with the Wisconsin Herd. Additionally, the Bucks have a surplus of young wing players needing development, making Galloway’s spot expendable.
Once the corresponding move for Pasečņiks’ addition is made, updates will follow. For now, the Bucks will add a Latvian flag to their practice facility without removing the Australian one.
