12:31pm: The Bucks have officially signed Munford, the team announced today in a press release. The club’s roster is now full once again.
10:54am: After clearing a spot on their 20-man preseason roster, the Bucks are expected to sign free agent shooting guard Xavier Munford, a source tells international basketball reporter David Pick (Twitter link).
Munford, 25, made his NBA debut in 2015/16, appearing in 14 games for the Grizzlies. He hasn’t seen NBA action since then, having spent time last season in the G League and with a team in Spain.
Although Munford, who received a camp invite from the Clippers last fall, had yet to catch on with an NBA team this year, he had an eventful summer. The University of Rhode Island alum was part of the USA Basketball squad that won a gold medal at the FIBA AmeriCup tournament last month.
The Bucks created an opening on their roster by waiving James Young on Wednesday night. Still, the timing of their deal with Munford is somewhat unusual. At this point, Munford is unlikely to earn a spot on the Bucks’ regular season roster, with players like Brandon Rush, Gerald Green, and Gary Payton II likely ahead of him in the pecking order, and the Bucks don’t hold his G League rights.
Milwaukee may envision Munford as a player whose contract can be converted to a two-way deal later this month. Currently, the Bucks don’t have any players on two-way contracts, so both of those spots are up for grabs.
I’d rather have James Young than Xsavier Mumford
James Young wants an NBA spot, not G league spot. Ok, bye.