The NBA can be unforgiving, forcing players to have thick skin and a positive mindset to survive in the long run.
That is especially true for a 6-foot-10 ex-Philadelphia 76ers forward, as he was waived by the New York Knicks 12 minutes after the 2026 NBA champions signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal.
“Knicks waive Igor Milicic Jr.,” the Knicks, who signed the Pula, Croatia native at 7:48 p.m. on Tuesday, announced at 8:00 p.m. on X/Twitter.
Milicic, who played collegiately at Tennessee, Charlotte, and Virginia before entering the pros, went undrafted in 2025, prompting him to sign a free-agent deal with the 76ers. While Milicic didn’t log any minutes in the big leagues as a rookie, he appeared in 13 games for the 76ers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
The 24-year-old big man contributed 6.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game with the Blue Coats, shooting 34.6% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc in 13 appearances. Although Milicic believed he was set to compete for a roster spot with the Mike Brown-led Knicks, the organization’s decision to waive him makes one thing clear: the young pro appears G-League bound for the second consecutive season.
The good news for Milicic is that he’ll be eligible for an Exhibit 10 bonus if he remains with the Westchester Knicks (New York’s G League affiliate) for at least 60 days. It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for Milicic as he attempts to find his footing at the professional level.
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