On Friday, February 27, the Phoenix Suns officially waived guard Cole Anthony just weeks after acquiring him prior to the 2026 NBA trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Anthony is expected to be waived this week and will become a free agent if he clears waivers. This move comes after Anthony signed a one-year contract worth $2.2 million for the 2025-2026 season with his previous team, the Milwaukee Bucks.
Cole Anthony’s Performance Details From The Current Season
During the ongoing season, Anthony appeared in 35 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, consistently coming off the bench and averaging 15.1 minutes per game. He maintained a field goal percentage of 42%, while converting 30% of his three-point attempts. Anthony contributed an average of 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, demonstrating solid bench production for Milwaukee.
Reasons Behind The Suns’ Decision To Part Ways With Anthony
When questioned about Cole Anthony’s lack of playing time with the Suns following the trade, head coach Jordan Ott was reserved ahead of Phoenix’s February 26 game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ott commented,
“There hasn’t been much change, but we have had injuries and that’s kind of where it’s at. That’s why there hasn’t been much change, but that’s why it’s not completely out. We’ll continue to just stay in touch with his people and move this thing forward.” – Jordan Ott, Head Coach
This suggests that uncertainties regarding Anthony’s fit within the team and ongoing injury concerns influenced the Suns’ move to waive him. Consequently, Anthony will re-enter free agency in search of a new NBA opportunity.
Cole Anthony’s Career Trajectory and Past NBA Experiences
Cole Anthony entered the league in 2020 as the 15th overall pick by the Orlando Magic. As a rookie, he started 34 games and played in 47, but struggled with shooting efficiency, posting a 39% field goal percentage while averaging 12.9 points per game. His scoring improved to 16.3 points per game during his second season.
Although expectations were high, Anthony’s production declined over the next two seasons as he transitioned into a reserve role. In the 2024-2025 season, he played 67 games for the Magic, shooting 42% from the field and averaging 9.4 points per game. Following that season, Orlando traded Anthony to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and multiple first-round picks. After reaching a buyout agreement with Memphis, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Current Backcourt Challenges For The Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been struggling with depth in their backcourt, particularly as star guard Devin Booker recovers from a hip strain sustained during a February 19 game against the San Antonio Spurs. Booker has missed four games since the injury, and Phoenix hopes for his return sometime next week. The team’s need for reliable guard options makes Anthony’s release notably significant.
Implications Of Anthony’s Waiver and What Lies Ahead
As the Suns finalize their roster for the remainder of the 2025-2026 regular season, Cole Anthony will be free to explore options with other NBA teams. With six years of professional experience and career averages of 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists across more than 300 NBA games, Anthony is likely to attract interest from teams seeking depth and veteran presence in their guard rotations. Observers will watch closely to see which contenders may pursue him in free agency amid ongoing roster adjustments.
The Phoenix Suns have waived guard Cole Anthony, sources tell ESPN. Anthony averaged 6.7 points in 35 games for the Bucks before being moved at the NBA trade deadline.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 27, 2026
