Milwaukee Bucks' second-round draft selection, Malique Lewis, is reportedly on the verge of securing a new contract to continue his professional basketball career in Australia. Sources indicate that the Cairns Taipans of the NBL are in advanced discussions to sign the Trinidadian forward for their 2026-27 season roster.
This potential agreement would allow Lewis, chosen 60th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, to further his athletic growth outside the National Basketball Association. His return to the NBL would align with the Bucks' ongoing organizational restructuring, which follows significant trades involving key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, leading to an infusion of younger talent including Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, and others. Lewis is expected to fill an import slot for the Taipans, leveraging his prior experience in the league.
Lewis brings a wealth of professional experience to the Taipans, having previously completed two seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL. During the 2025-26 season, the 21-year-old demonstrated significant improvement, averaging 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 25 games while playing approximately 21.3 minutes per contest. Notably, his three-point shooting accuracy saw a substantial increase from 29.4% in 2024-25 to 38.7% in 2025-26, alongside a doubling of his assist average and a rise in steals. His career also includes stints with Fuenlabrada in Spain's top division (2021-22, 2022-23) and the Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the G League (2023-24), where he recorded averages of 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds over 48 games. Allowing Lewis to develop in a familiar league like the NBL offers the Bucks an extended opportunity for professional assessment before integrating him into their evolving roster, as they aim to improve upon their 32-50 record from the 2025-26 season.
This strategic move not only provides Malique Lewis with a stable platform for continued growth and refinement of his skills but also offers the Milwaukee Bucks a valuable opportunity to observe his progress in a competitive professional environment. By fostering his development abroad, the team can make more informed decisions about his future role within the franchise, ultimately contributing to a more robust and promising trajectory for both the player and the team.