Bucks draft pick Malique Lewis lands with Cairns in NBL

Malique Lewis, taken in the second round of the 2026 draft, has signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans that carries a club option for 2027-28.

Milwaukee keeps his draft rights, which it picked up in a draft-night trade with Washington. Lewis spent the past two seasons with South East Melbourne, averaging 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds last year while shooting 37.5% from three.

2yrLewis WAS → MIL

+ 2 reports from 2 outlets

RealGM · 25 Aug 2026Bucks draft pick Malique Lewis lands with Cairns in NBL

Hoops Rumors · 25 Aug 2026Bucks draftee Malique Lewis signs two-year deal in Australia

Malique Lewis

Related updates

RealGM ↗· 21 Aug 2026

NBA draft · MIL

Developing

Bucks pick Malique Lewis headed to Cairns in NBL

Malique Lewis, the No. 60 pick in the second round by Milwaukee, is expected to join the Cairns Taipans in Australia's NBL, turning him into a draft-and-stash for the Bucks. The 21-year-old averaged 6.9 points and 4.3 rebounds last season with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Hoops Rumors ↗· 29 Aug 2026

NBA draft · MIL / BOS / IND

Done deal

Five 2026 draftees find homes, six still unsigned entering camp

Boston's Dillon Mitchell, Indiana's Braden Smith and Denver's Bryce Hopkins have all signed two-way deals, while Knicks pick Jack Kayil stayed in Germany with ALBA Berlin and Bucks pick Malique Lewis signed overseas with Cairns.

Basketball-Reference ↗· 24 Jun 2026

Trade rumor · MIL / ORL / WAS

Done deal

Bucks, Magic, Wizards swap fringe pieces and cash

A three-team deal is on the books, per the official transaction record. Milwaukee sent cash to Orlando, Orlando shipped Felix Okpara to Washington, Washington sent Malique Lewis to Milwaukee, and Izaiyah Nelson went from Washington to Orlando. Three teams, three players, one pile of cash.