In a stunning move shaking the ongoing free agency period, the Milwaukee Bucks have waived nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard. This decision comes on the heels of the franchise’s significant signing of former Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract.
The Bucks opted to stretch the remainder of Lillard’s $113 million deal to create the necessary cap space for Turner, who is poised to replace center Brook Lopez after Lopez signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Bucks Waive Lillard to Build Around Giannis Antetokounmpo
ESPN and NBA insider Shams Charania first reported the massive update, quickly following his announcement of Turner’s move to Milwaukee.
Charania tweeted, “The Bucks found a creative path to waive and stretch Lillard, whose $113M will be stretched over the next five seasons, while leaving their future draft assets untouched. In a stunning turn of events, Myles Turner departs the Pacers to join the Bucks.”
The Bucks found a creative path to waive and stretch Lillard – whose $113M will be stretched over the next five seasons – while leaving their future draft assets untouched. In a stunning turn of events, Myles Turner departs the Pacers to join the Bucks. https://t.co/2QL87xyK3d
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
This strategic maneuver provides the Bucks with the financial flexibility to distribute Lillard’s remaining salary over five years, rather than incurring it immediately. While the decision means parting ways with a bona fide superstar and will impact the team’s cap sheet for several years, Milwaukee’s primary objective is to retain franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo and construct a championship-winning roster around him.
Antetokounmpo Expresses Displeasure with Lillard Decision
Subsequent reports indicated that Antetokounmpo was not pleased with the team’s choice to waive Lillard, who was initially brought in as the ideal one-two punch alongside the Greek Freak. League insider Chris Haynes broke the news, stating, “BREAKING: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with the team’s decision to waive Damian Lillard, league sources tell me.”
BREAKING: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with the team’s decision to waive Damian Lillard, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/NGqJIWRQeq
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2025
During his two seasons with the Bucks, Lillard appeared in 131 regular-season games, averaging 20.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists,0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks. He shot 37.0% from the field and 35.9% from the 3-point line. The acquisition of “Dame Time” was one of the most high-profile trades preceding the 2023-24 season.
The original three-team trade sent Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and a 2029 first-round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson went to the Phoenix Suns. Portland also received the rights to swap 2028 and 2030 first-round picks with the Bucks.
As of this report, the full repercussions of the Bucks’ decision, particularly given Antetokounmpo’s reported reaction, remain uncertain. This move places the franchise squarely in the spotlight for potentially unfavorable reasons, and only time will reveal how the forward will respond to this shocking development.
