Chris Livingston -- thriving in Summer League -- re-signing with Milwaukee Bucks

Apr 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Chris Livingston (7) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Rich Paul knows how to get his clients paid.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks intend to re-sign former Kentucky wing Chris Livingston to a one-year, $2.3 million fully guaranteed contract for the 2025-26 season. This is the third straight year with guaranteed money for Livingston, who only appeared in 42 total games with the Bucks during his first two seasons after being the final pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.

But thanks to an impressive run in the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League (along with his smart and tactical agent), Milwaukee has elected to bring Livingston back for another season. Across three Summer League games in Vegas for the Bucks this month, the 6-foot-6 native of Ohio has averaged 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per outing on 50 percent overall shooting and 37.5 percent shooting from deep.

The Milwaukee Bucks are re-signing forward Chris Livingston on a fully guaranteed one-year, $2.3 million deal, Rich Paul and Brandon Cavanaugh of Klutch Sports tell ESPN. Livingston, the 58th pick in the 2023 NBA draft, receives a third consecutive year on a guaranteed contract. pic.twitter.com/yRQHzrMZxZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2025

Milwaukee actually waived Livingston just two weeks ago, but the front office quickly added him to the Summer League roster, giving him another chance of earning a contract. He’s done just that. Including this upcoming season’s contract, he’ll have made over $5 million throughout his first three NBA seasons despite spending most of his time in the G League.

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But it’s been his play in the G League over the last two seasons that helped keep him on the Bucks’ radar. Livingston averaged 13.7 points and seven rebounds per game for the Wisconsin Herd as a rookie, bumping those up to 18.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest last season. He’s played nearly as many G League games (39) as he has games with the Bucks.

Before embarking on his professional journey, Livingston spent a one-and-done season at Kentucky (2022-23) under former head coach John Calipari. With the Wildcats, he started 26 of 34 games played, posting per-game averages of 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.4 minutes on 42.9 percent shooting. The Bucks later selected him with the 58th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.