The Milwaukee Bucks are in an interesting position as they prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season. On the one hand, they have two top 75 players in NBA history in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. They also have excellent (but aging) role players in Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Though he was the subject of trade rumors this summer, sixth-man Bobby Portis, too, is an important contributor to the team both on and off the court.

Milwaukee Bucks, Anzejs Pasecniks

Aug 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks’ Thanasis Antetokounmpo, left, slams a dunk over Washington Wizards’ Anzejs Pasecniks (18) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. at Visa Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
That being said, the Bucks’ biggest contributors are not getting any younger. That is why general manager Jon Horst decided to focus on selecting players that Milwaukee could develop in the 2024 NBA Draft. Both of their picks, AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith, are just 19 years old.

Most notably, Lopez, the team’s only true center, is entering his age 37 season after having turned 36 in April. To add some potential depth and possible replacement, Milwaukee added an intriguing Latvian player in free agency.

The Milwaukee Bucks Signed Anzejs Pasecniks to a 2-Way Contract

Milwaukee Bucks, Anzejs PasecniksMar 4, 2020; Portland, Oregon, USA; Washington Wizards center Anzejs Pasecniks (18) pressures Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the second half at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 125-105. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks agreed to a two-way contract with free agent center Anzejs Pasecniks.

Pasecniks has not played in the NBA since the 2020-21 season, the same year in which the Bucks won their last NBA Championship. As Wojnarowski notes, he played for the Washington Wizards. He has career averages of 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 28 career games.

During his years with Washington, Pasecniks spent most of his time with the Capitol City Go-Go of the NBA G-League.

Milwaukee Bucks Center Anzejs Pasecniks Is a Former NBA First Round Pick

Milwaukee Bucks, Anzejs PasecniksJun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Anzejs Pasecniks of Latvia is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

 

Pasecniks was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 25th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, he was immediately traded on draft night to the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2020 first round pick and 2020 second round pick.

However, Pasecniks never suited up for the 76ers in an NBA game. Instead, he continued to play professionally in Spain for Herbalife Gran Canaria.

In 2019, the 76ers renounced their draft rights to Pasecniks and he signed with the Wizards. After competing in the NBA Summer League with Washington, he was signed to a two-way contract.

Since being released by the Wizards in 2021, the seven-foot-one center has played for Real Betis and Palencia in Spain and Metropolitans 92 in France.

Playing for Palencia last season, Pasecniks averaged a career-high 13.0 points and 4.8 rebounds.

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