Eric Nehm profiled Anthony:
With the freedom to choose his next team, Anthony decided to join the Bucks.
“I just looked at what they’ve accomplished here,” Anthony said of Milwaukee. “Obviously, they won a championship a few years ago. I looked at the structure of the team (and) the coaching staff and just was like, ‘All right, this aligns with my goals.’ I feel like I could slot in here and help this team win some games.”
Damian Lillard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game as the Bucks’ starting point guard last season. General manager Jon Horst’s decision to waive Lillard and stretch his contract has the Bucks in need of significant production at the point guard spot. Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins return to the roster at point guard, but Anthony will get a chance to help fill that role, as well.
After being a starter for Orlando in his first two seasons, Anthony became one of the team’s most important role players off the bench, as the Magic molded into a playoff contender under head coach Jamahl Mosley the last two seasons.
Last season, Anthony played 67 games and started 22 after Jalen Suggs’ injuries forced Orlando to try to inject some life on offense with different lineups. While Anthony averaged career lows in minutes (18.4), points (9.4) and rebounds (3.0) per game, he averaged 13.7 points, 3.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds as a starter. Still, the Magic ultimately deemed him expendable and included Anthony in the trade package to obtain Bane.
“I’m super excited to be (in Milwaukee), man,” Anthony said. “It just feels like a breath of fresh air after being in Orlando for the past five years. Obviously, I loved my time there, but this feels like, for me, a stepping stone in my career.
“I just want to come in and help the team win in whichever way I can. I think they’re going to ask me to do what I can do, which is score, pass the ball, guard, whatever, but I’m just really happy to be a part of this team specifically because it’s been great being here these past couple weeks and being with these guys. The energy is high. There’s a real professional vibe around everybody, and everybody has a chip on their shoulder.”
While Anthony has prepared for the season with new teammates, he received a massive compliment from one who has yet to return to Milwaukee. In an interview Tuesday with Sport24 in Greece, two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo declared Anthony will be an “X-factor” and “the surprise of the year” for the Bucks.
Those words had not made their way to Anthony by Wednesday afternoon.
“Damn, that’s a hell of a compliment,” Anthony responded. “I appreciate that from my big bro Giannis; shout-out to him.”
That adoration is not a one-way street. As it has been for almost any free agent who has decided to sign with the Bucks during the last seven seasons, getting a chance to play with Antetokounmpo, the nine-time All-NBA forward, was near the top of the list of reasons why Anthony chose Milwaukee.
“I know his resume,” Anthony said of Antetokounmpo. “I’ve played against him, watched him play, and he’s a one-of-one player. I mean, the opportunity to get to run that little two-man action with him, that’s going to be legendary.
“I’m ecstatic, I’m super happy to be here. I haven’t seen him yet, but I’m excited to link up with big bro and start building a relationship, vibing and just gearing up to go win a championship.”
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6659034/2025/09/25/cole-anthony-bucks-nba-giannis/?source=athletic_weeklyemail&campaign=602288&userId=6188822
