The Phoenix Suns made a roster move on Friday, February 27.
After acquiring the veteran guard Cole Anthony ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, the team has cut ties with him. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Anthony will be waived this week. As long as he clears waivers, he’ll hit free agency.
Anthony signed a one-year deal with his former team in Milwaukee. His salary for the 2025-2026 NBA season was set at $2.2 million.
This season, Anthony played 35 games for the Milwaukee Bucks. He came off the bench for each outing, averaging 15.1 minutes per game. Anthony shot 42% from the field and knocked down 30% of his threes to average 6.7 points per game. He also produced 2.5 rebounds per game, along with 3.5 assists per game.
Why Are The Suns Cutting Ties With Cole Anthony?
GettyCole Anthony during his run with the Orlando Magic.
When the head coach Jordan Ott was asked about Anthony’s absence from the Suns after the trade, he didn’t have much to say on the matter ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers matchup on February 26.
“It’s still the same,” Ott told reporters. “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.”
Clearly, one of the sides wasn’t sold on the pairing. As a result, Anthony will hit the free agency market to search for his third NBA team.
Back in 2020, Anthony was drafted in the first round as the 15th pick for the Orlando Magic.
As a rookie, he started 34 games and appeared in 47 matchups. He struggled with his shot (39% from the field) but managed to average 12.9 points per game. By year two, his scoring average climbed to 16.3 points per game.
The future seemed bright in Orlando for Anthony. While he continued to play a full-time reserve role over the next two seasons, Anthony’s production would regress.
During the 2024-2025 NBA season, Anthony appeared in 67 games. He shot 42% from the field, averaging 9.4 points per game. After the season, the Magic parted ways with their former first-rounder. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and multiple first-round picks. Anthony reached a buyout with the Grizzlies before signing with the Bucks.
The Suns could use some help in the backcourt. They are currently lacking depth there, waiting patiently for their star guard Devin Booker to get healthy again. After suffering a hip strain during the Suns’ February 19 outing against the San Antonio Spurs, Booker has missed the past four games. Phoenix is hopeful he can return sometime next week.
Anthony won’t be around for the Suns as they close out the 2025-2026 regular season. He’ll get a chance to test the market once again. Anthony is likely to keep an eye on contending teams in free agency.
The veteran guard brings six years of NBA experience to the table. He has averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in over 300 games.
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