The Milwaukee Bucks made a shocking decision to waive Damian Lillard to make room for the addition of free agent center Myles Turner on Tuesday. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst compared the Bucks’ decision to the Cleveland Browns’ ill-fated trade for Deshaun Watson.
Brian Windhorst Bashes Milwaukee Bucks’ Decision With Deshaun Watson Comparison
The Bucks will waive and stretch the $113 million left on Lillard’s deal, a drawback to adding Turner, who had a solid run as the Indiana Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals. The move has raised eyebrows, with several analysts suggesting it may limit the Bucks’ cap flexibility going forward, sacrificing long-term stability for the Turner acquisition in an attempt to satisfy star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Brian Windhorst said Wednesday on First Take that the Bucks’ move appeared desperate.
“It’s a level of mortgage that, really, pro sports has never seen before,” Windhorst said. “As a Cleveland Browns fan, this is akin to what the Deshaun Watson contract was, except Deshaun Watson wouldn’t even be on the team anymore, which is pretty much the way it is anyway, but that’s another story for another day. This is that level of mortgaging.
“I was in Cleveland in 2010 when LeBron was walking away. I was there those days when I felt the desperation that was existing and wrapping around the Cavs’ franchise. I felt not quite that same level when Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City, but I felt that a little bit, too.”
Brian Windhorst on the Bucks waiving Damian Lillard to acquire Myles Turner: “As a Cleveland Browns fan, this is akin to what the Deshaun Watson contract was except for Deshaun Watson wouldn’t even be on the team anymore. Which is pretty much the way it is anyway, but that’s… pic.twitter.com/msRdYWFFC3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 2, 2025
The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 despite a string of sexual assault allegations. On top of that, his performance on the field was subpar, and last season he tore his Achilles.
Looking back, the haul Cleveland gave up to the Houston Texans and the fully guaranteed $230 million deal the Browns gave him were massive mistakes. It illustrates how Milwaukee’s gamble could backfire, particularly from a financial standpoint.
“There is nothing like a small market that’s losing a superstar,” Windhorst added. “The desperation is almost depressing. And so I think if this had happened in Cleveland and these tools were available for them for LeBron, they would’ve done this. In fact, they might’ve done it with 2-3 players. … I kind of, in a way, get and understand and give sort of a pass to Milwaukee even though I don’t think this is a smart move on any level.”
The Bucks will pay Lillard, who tore his Achilles during the playoffs, the remainder of his contract over the next five years, dishing out $22.5 million annually. Lillard is now a free agent, meaning he can sign with any team, even for the veteran minimum, while still collecting his Bucks salary.