Bucks release Teletovic due to blood-clotting issues

The Milwaukee Bucks announced Saturday they have requested waivers on Mirza Teletovic, who's been out indefinitely due to blood clots in his lungs.

"The health of our players is our primary concern," general manager Jon Horst said. "The Bucks and Mirza Teletovic, in consultation with team doctors and other physicians, have been working together since December to evaluate and manage Mirza's situation. As a result of the overall evaluation that we've gone through, at this time we are both moving on.

"We appreciate all of Mirza's contributions to the Bucks organization and our community. We wish him a lifetime of good health with his family."

It was previously reported Teletovic wouldn't get medical clearance to play in the NBA again, mirroring former star Chris Bosh, who suffers from the same recurring condition and subsequently hasn't suited up in two years. But, like Bosh, Teletovic recently denied the report and expressed confidence his career isn't over.

The sharpshooting forward played in the first 10 games of the season before suffering a knee injury that required surgery and was only supposed to sideline him until late December. However, that timetable was extended due to his second bout of pulmonary embolism in the past three years.

Teletovic put up 7.1 points on 46.7 shooting from 3-point territory to go along with 2.3 rebounds and one assist in 15.9 minutes per outing in his second year in Milwaukee.

It's likely the Bucks will apply for a salary exclusion, which would see Teletovic earn the remaining $10.5 million he's owed for 2018-19, but remove it off Milwaukee's books if the independent medical panel deems his injury life-threatening. They can begin the process after Nov. 7, 2018 - one year after the last game he played.