The 10-game suspension given to Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders for violating the NBA's drug policy could lead to the team buying out his contract. Grantland's Zach Lowe reported most of his league sources believe Milwaukee will soon begin discussing a buyout with Sanders, who reportedly wants to stop using marijuana and continue his basketball career.
Sanders's fourth violation of the league's drug policy earned him a 10-game suspension and put his future with the Bucks in jeopardy.
"Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo reported over the weekend that the Bucks had not yet discussed a potential buyout with Sanders, but most league sources expect the discussion to eventually go that direction," Lowe wrote Wednesday. "It's tempting to suggest the Bucks ride this out for a bit. Sanders is one of the league's best rim protectors."
In addition to casting doubt on Sanders's future with the Bucks, Wojnarowski indicated Sanders - contrary to a previous report - wants to remain in the NBA and is willing to give up marijuana to do so.
"(Sanders) plans to use his 10-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug program to deal with his core personal issues and learn to live without marijuana use, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote Sunday. "Sanders wants to continue his basketball career and has been coming to the realization league rules won't permit that unless he stops testing positive as part of the league's drug program, sources said."
Sanders hasn't played since Dec. 23, with coach Jason Kidd originally citing Sanders's absence as being a personal matter.
Milwaukee signed him in 2013 to a four-year, $44 million extension. In his limited playing time this season, Sanders averaged 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
