Basketball Operations Brief

Breaking down the movement and transactions leading up to the nba regular season

gregory spicer – 0ct. 20, 2025 – nba g-league

The NBA regular season begins on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and organizations are making their final roster decisions before the action starts. 

Most of the league’s NBA-level talent is signed already, so these moves are primarily related to G-League rosters. 

Salary Increase

The G-League has come to its first ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the players union. This deal increases the league’s annual salary to $45,000 – a 4.7% increase from previous seasons. That number will grow by 3% each season until the end of the contract in 2028/29. By the final year of the deal, players will be making nearly $50,000. 

This is far from NBA money, but still a step in the right direction for these professionals. G-League seasons are roughly 50 games long, and only happen from November to March. That totals to about $10,000 per month of play, which is a solid agreement. 

Antetokounmpo Trio

The Milwaukee Bucks signed another one of Giannis’s brothers this week, making it three Antetokounmpo’s in Wisconsin. Along with Giannis and Thanasis both on NBA deals, the Bucks signed Alex Antetokounmpo to a 2-way contract. The other brother, Thanasis, is on a 1 year / $2.9 million, fully guaranteed, NBA contract. 

Alex can spend 50 games with the NBA roster, and then split time with the G-League affiliate in Oshkosh. Although he is a talented player, the move raises questions on what the Bucks approach is this season. 

Teams only get 3 spots for 2-way players, making it a valuable resource. If it keeps Giannis happy and in Milwaukee, then it’s worthwhile, but if the Bucks struggle and Giannis wants out, then they’ll be wishing they used this spot on a player that will be a part of their future. 

Chicago Bulls Make Multiple Moves

Starting out their weekend of roster changes, the Bulls signed G-League superstar Mac McClung. They immediately waived him, placing him on the G-League roster for the season. 

The term “waived” brings a negative connotation to the addition, but it’s a great move for Chicago’s G-League counterpart (Windy City Bulls). McClung established himself as one of the G’s best players in 2025: 25.7 PPG / 5.7 AST / 3.9 TRB / 37.8% 3PT / 65.9% TS

After adding McClung, the Bulls opened up a 2-way spot by releasing Yuki Kawamura. The Japanese sensation was signed to the Bulls after an excellent summer league, as explained in this B.O.B. article. I was very high on him this year, so the release came as a shock. 

Unfortunately, a sudden “lower leg injury” led to his waive by the Bulls, and he is now a free agent. If another team doesn’t sign him he could stay on the Windy City Bulls, and when healthy, form a dynamic backcourt with McClung. More likely, though, he will find home on another team or overseas. 

Utilizing the new roster spot, Chicago added Trentyn Flowers. Although the loss of Kawamura hurts, Flowers gives the Bulls a younger, bigger, and healthier alternative. The 6-foot-9 forward dominated for the San Diego Clippers in 27 games last season:

20.0 PPG / 5.1 TRB / AST / 62.4% TS / 37.2% 3PT

Flowers hasn’t shown any real weaknesses in the G-League, and at just 20 years old, has plenty of time to improve even more. If the Bulls have some injuries and he continues to perform well, I could see him getting a full time NBA deal. 

Lamont Butler

Finally, I have to give a shoutout to San Diego State legend Lamont Butler. The former Aztec was picked up by the Atlanta Hawks and made his NBA debut in the preseason last week::

37 MP / 18 PTS / 6 TRB / 5 AST / 3 STL / 3 3PM

Despite that performance, the Hawks released Butler this week. Atlanta should absolutely look to add him to their G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.