The Milwaukee Bucks extended a qualifying offer to guard Ryan Rollins, making him a restricted free agent for the 2025-26 season.
The Bucks had until June 29 to make that decision, and by doing so they keep some semblance of control over a former first round pick that blossomed last season into a dependable reserve guard. Rollins can sign the qualifying offer of about $2.6 million, or he can entertain contract offers from other teams. But as a restricted free agent, the Bucks have a right to match any offer.
Rollins, who will turn 23 years old on July 6, is recovering this summer from surgery on his left shoulder due to an injury he suffered early in the season. But he played through the pain, shooting 40.8% from behind the 3-point line and providing athleticism on defense and a spark offensively.
Rollins began last season on a two-way contract, which meant he could play 50 games for the Bucks and then spend time with the G League affiliate in Oshkosh. But he quickly earned the trust of head coach Doc Rivers and the team converted him to a fully guaranteed deal, which allowed him to play in the postseason.
Rollins first came to the Bucks at the end of the 2023-24 season on a two-way deal, appearing in just three games. He was originally a second-round draft pick by Atlanta in 2022 but was traded immediately to Golden State. He played in 12 games with the Warriors before being dealt to Washington, where he played in 10 games before signing with the Bucks.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks extend qualifying offer to guard Ryan Rollins
Reporting by Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
