Bucks don’t pick up option on Vaughn

In a decision that went right to deadline day Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks elected not to exercise their fourth-year option on shooting guard Rashad Vaughn’s contract, according to a league source.

Vaughn, the team’s first-round pick in 2015, will become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Vaughn’s slotted salary for 2018-’19 would have been $2.9 million had the Bucks picked up the option. Already hovering close to the luxury tax threshold, the Bucks opened up both a roster spot and salary room. That could help with notable roster decisions — including one on Jabari Parker, who will be a restricted free agent — on the docket next summer.

During his two-plus years with the Bucks, Vaughn has not made a consistent impact. His potential as a three-point shooter — one of the team’s reasons for taking him with the 17th pick in 2015 — has not been realized as he’s made 73 of his 235 attempts (31.1%) over 114 games.

Tuesday’s decision illustrated that while the 21-year-old Vaughn may prove himself as a viable NBA player, it’s fair to presume the Bucks believe they can find a better use for his roster spot and salary next season as they continue to build a team that can compete with the top squads in the Eastern Conference.

While the Bucks did not pick up Vaughn’s option, a league source said they did exercise their 2018-’19 team option for Thon Maker’s third year. Maker, the 10th pick in the 2016 draft and the Bucks’ starting center, is slotted to make $2.8 million next season.