The Milwaukee Bucks have begun buyout discussions with Larry Sanders that would make the recently suspended center a free agent.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirmed an ESPN report on Monday about the buyout talks of the remainder of Sanders’ four-year, $44 million contract.
Sanders has missed the last 24 games with the Bucks. He missed 11 games due to illness and personal reasons, then served a 12-game league suspension (without pay) for another failed marijuana test. He last appeared in a game on Dec. 23.
Sanders, 26, said he wants to resume his NBA career despite the personal struggles. The 6-foot-11 Sanders was reinstated by the league last Wednesday night.
“Soon you all will know the truth,” Sanders tweeted last week.
Sanders, who has also dealt with eye injuries, has appeared in just 50 games for Milwaukee since landing a four-year contract extension during the summer of 2013.
Sanders was the starting center early this season, appearing in 27 games with 26 starts. He has averaged 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while playing 21.7 minutes per game.