Bucks waiving Ilyasova, key piece in botched Bogdanovic deal

The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova, the team announced.

Ilyasova, who played seven seasons with the Bucks to start his career, returned for a second stint in Milwaukee in 2018, signing a three-year, $21-million deal as a free agent. The final year of the pact was fully unguaranteed.

The 33-year-old averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in just under 16 minutes per game in 2019-20.

Waiving Ilyasova eliminates one avenue for the Bucks to acquire Sacramento Kings restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic.

A reported sign-and-trade agreement to send the Kings' Serbian shooting guard to Milwaukee in exchange for Ilyasova, Donte DiVincenzo, and D.J. Wilson apparently fell apart Wednesday when it became evident Bogdanovic never signed off on the swap.

The league is now reportedly investigating for potential tampering.

Ilyasova's $7-million salary for 2020-21 would have been key to balancing Bogdanovic's incoming salary for Milwaukee.