Two ex-Kentucky Wildcats, Chris Livingston and Antonio Reeves, have been waived by their NBA teams as the new season approaches, making them free agents. This development impacts their standing in the league and opens the door for new opportunities.
Antonio Reeves Let Go by New Orleans Pelicans
On Thursday, the New Orleans Pelicans announced that they waived guard Antonio Reeves, who played at Kentucky from 2022 to 2024. Selected 47th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Reeves averaged 6.9 points and 1.4 rebounds over 44 games during his rookie year. His standout moment came in November when he scored a career-high 34 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Although Reeves signed a three-year contract worth $5 million, the agreement included a team option for the following season. Following management changes in New Orleans, the Pelicans opted not to guarantee his $1.96 million salary for the 2025-26 season. He spent much of the year with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League before finishing strong with the Pelicans, averaging 14 points on efficient shooting in the final 12 games.
Chris Livingston Waived by Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks waived forward Chris Livingston, who was the 58th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to the NBA’s official site. Livingston played 21 games during the season, averaging 1.4 points and 1.7 rebounds. His non-guaranteed $2.22 million contract was set to become guaranteed on July 15. Like Reeves, Livingston spent significant time in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, highlighted by a 25-point performance in January.
Prospects and Next Steps for Former Wildcats
Both Antonio Reeves and Chris Livingston are now searching for new teams in the NBA. Given their solid records at Kentucky and glimpses of professional promise, fans from the Big Blue Nation are eagerly watching to see where their careers will continue. Their free agency marks a crucial juncture as they work to secure roles for the upcoming season.
“He had a breakout performance in November, scoring a career-high 34 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.” — Source