Bucks’ 2026 Second-Round Draft Pick to Sign a New Deal Overseas

One of the Milwaukee Bucks' second-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft is heading overseas.

Malique lewis was selected with the 60th-overall pick in the 2026 Draft by the Washington Wizards, but he was immediately traded to the Bucks, but with the Bucks' roster all but completed, it looks like Lewis is choosing to continue his overseas career instead for the time being. 

According to a recent report from ESPN's Olgun Uluc, Lewis is close to signing a deal with the Carins Taipans, an Australian professional team competing in Australia's National Basketball League. 

Lewis, a 21-year-old Trinidadian native, has had a robust international career since he was 16-years-old, playing in Spain and Australia while also playing one season with the Mexico City Capitanes of the G-League from 2023-24. 

In four international seasons for Fuenlabrada of Liga ACB in Spain and S.E. Melbourne of the NBL, Lewis has averaged 6.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as a forward. 

Lewis wasn't expected to make his NBA debut with the Bucks this upcoming season anyways, but him possibly signing with the Taipans does put the idea of him at least playing with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks' G-League affiliate, out of the question and will delay any chance at him playing in the NBA for another season. 

The specifics of a possible deal haven't been revealed, so if Lewis ends up signing a one-year contract, the. Bucks could at least keep their eye on his progress in the NBL to see if his development has taken the necessary leap to warrant bringing him in to the NBA, but as of now the Bucks roster wouldn't be able to accommodate him. 

Of course, with the Bucks in the midst of a rebuild, things could change quickly for the construction of the roster and one day open up a spot for Lewis in the NBA. 

The Bucks do still find themselves in need of forwards and Lewis could help fill that need as the construction of the roster changes, but as it stands he is in need of more development that time overseas could help facilitate. 

Until then, the Bucks will be moving forward with their roster at hand into the first season of the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era with a transformed roster as the long process of resetting the franchise will begin in full force after a mostly productive offseason. 

Milwaukee Bucks guard Cormac Ryan (30) reaches for the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr (9) in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

 Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) drives to shoot against Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) in the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

 Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images