Mavericks waive Kostas Antetokounmpo

The Dallas Mavericks announced late Friday afternoon—prime news dump time—that the team requested waivers on Kostas Antetokounmpo. He was on the team with a two-way contract.

Last summer, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Antetokounmpo with the 60^th and final pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Mavericks acquired his rights, and those of 56^th overall pick Ray Spalding, from the Sixers on draft night in a trade for 54^th overall pick Shake Milton.

Antetokounmpo only appeared in two games with the Mavericks last season, spending most of his time with the Texas Legends in the G League. In Frisco, he averaged 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game. He shot 52.5 percent overall and 24.4 percent on three-pointers. Antetokounmpo played in 40 games, starting 25, for the Legends.

More recently, the 6-foot-10 forward was a member of the Mavericks Summer League team in Las Vegas. Even though he got the start in all five of Dallas’ games, his performance was far from inspiring. He averaged 5.8 points while shooting 39.3 percent overall and 2.8 rebounds. His three-point shooting was also lackluster, connecting on just 18.2 percent of his attempts.

“We are excited for Kostas to pursue other professional opportunities,” President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Donnie Nelson said in a press release. “Kostas worked very hard to improve his game and we are proud to have been a step in his development. We wish him all the best.”

Kostas Antetokounmpo is the brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the current NBA MVP.