Milwaukee Bucks Waive Damian Lillard to Make Room For Myles Turner

The Milwaukee Bucks, identical to different NBA groups, are all about enterprise. The first day of free company stunned followers when the workforce waived nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard one 12 months after they traded for him with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The resolution comes as Lillard is rehabbing from a torn Achilles that he suffered in the course of the first spherical of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, and it frees up wage area for the Milwaukee Bucks to signal former Indiana Pacers heart Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract.

Bucks Prioritize Cap Room Over Star Power

As wage cap limitations develop tighter, the Bucks opted to commerce away Lillard to create cap area for Turner’s profitable contract. Although the entrance workplace stays obligated to pay Lillard the final $113 million of his contract over the subsequent half-decade, the transfer was pushed by long-term roster maneuvering and price flexibility, in line with TMZ Sports.

Lillard, who will flip 35 later this month, averaged 24.9 factors and seven.1 assists per recreation over the last marketing campaign. While productive, his harm and the Bucks’ postseason failures made it clear a roster reshuffling was imminent.

Blessing in Disguise

For Lillard, his departure would possibly imply a brand new redirection. Some Bucks followers cannot imagine that transfer provided that he is solely a 12 months with the workforce. However, as per a report by The Athletic, that shock quickly gave approach to aid and even euphoria. A free agent now, Lillard now has the particular privilege of choosing his subsequent workforce, a primary in his illustrious NBA profession.

ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote Tuesday that Lillard lastly embraced a change of surroundings. “I’m told that Damian Lillard welcomed the release today. He’s gonna spend that time rehabbing in Portland around his family members. This is something he became open to today.”

Meanwhile, senior NBA insider Chris Haynes mentioned that Giannis Antetokounmpo was “not pleased” with the Bucks’ resolution to waive Lillard, in line with league sources.

From Portland Star to Free Agent

Lillard performed 11 years with the Trail Blazers earlier than he requested to be traded in 2023, exasperated with Portland’s failure to assemble a championship workforce. His relocation to Milwaukee was billed as a title-seeking transfer, uniting him with Antetokounmpo. But after one injury-plagued season, the plan has disintegrated.

Despite the sudden departure, Lillard will get paid in full and has the choice to discover a brand new vacation spot higher suited to his aspirations, possibly title rivalry or enjoying nearer to family members.

Bucks Bet Big on Defense with Turner Addition

While that is taking place, Milwaukee hopes to reboot by including Myles Turner, one of many prime shot-blockers within the league and a multi-skill huge man who matches so nicely into their defensive ethos.

The 29-year-old heart proved that he may shoot, shield the rim, and rebound within the 2025 NBA Finals. However, there was a obvious downside that the Bucks ought to remedy: he solely averaged 6.5 rebounds per recreation, which is a mediocre stat for an enormous man.