Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks sign Chris Livingston to historic deal

Chris Livingston will receive the largest salary as a final pick in NBA history.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Milwaukee Bucks

Chris Livingston, the final pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is officially a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. The signing of Livingston was announced by the team in a press release. Citing sources, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Bucks are signing Livingston to a four-year, $7.7 million rookie deal with the first two years guaranteed.

Rook cashing in

Livingston is the Bucks’ 58th pick in this year’s draft, and according to Charania, the signing of Livingston is a historic one as the four-year deal contains what is by far the largest total salary for the final pick in any NBA Draft.

With Livingston officially on board, the Bucks have locked up their two acquisitions from the draft, as they have earlier signed Andrew Jackson Jr., the 36th overall pick.

Livingston and Jackson Jr. are currently seeing action in the 2023 Summer League where the Bucks are off to a 2-0 start. The burly forward is a highly-touted rookie, with some pundits considering him the best player from Akron, Ohio since LeBron James.

Effective on both ends of the floor

In a recent media interview, Livingston said he can bring much to the table. As a freshman with Kentucky last season, Livingston averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward earned 2022-23 All-SEC Fresh Team honors after appearing in 34 games, including 26 starts, during his freshman season. Livingston had a stellar high school career that saw him winning the 2022 Virginia Player of the Year and the 2021 Ohio Player of the Year honors.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.