The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA world with one of the more surprising offseason moves, as they have now announced they're parting ways with their 9x All-Star Damian Lillard, in order to make cap space room for newly acquired Myles Turner (four-year/$107 million).
Videos by FanBuzz
Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/eg1D1TMFM6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
After undergoing surgery on a left Achilles tendon injury, Lillard was set to miss a significant portion (if not all) of the 2025-26 season. As a result, the team decided to move on from their veteran point guard, who is turning 35 years old this month.
Yet, seemingly not everyone approves of waiving a Top 75 all-time player. That is to say, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo took to social media when he found out the news, posting a screenshot from his 2021 championship run with a caption that reads: "I don't even know what's going on right now, man."
Giannis posted this shortly before the Dame news broke 😬👀
Is he staying in Milwaukee? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Po3I0LapGd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2025
Senior NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that there may be some strife between Giannis and the Bucks front office as a result of this move.
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
"He just didn't like how it was handled." 😳@ChrisBHaynes reports on Giannis' reaction to Milwaukee waiving Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/cyLzAvtcGS
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 1, 2025
And this is coming off Giannis' recent comments about the possibility of him exploring his options elsewhere.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, "It's still wait and see. Giannis Antetokounmpo was open-minded about whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or elsewhere. I have not felt a shift from that mentality."
Notably, there were high expectations for the Bucks when Lillard was acquired from the Trail Blazers in a blockbuster three-team deal ahead of the 2023-2024 season, as the Bucks gave up Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, 2029 first-round pick, and first-round pick swaps (2028 & 2030).
In the last two seasons in Milwaukee, Lillard put up 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. However, injuries halted the Bucks success, leading to first round eliminations from the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025.
To point out, the Bucks still owe Lillard the remaining $113 million of his contract over the next five seasons. And now that a superstar is made available on the market, many suitors will be vying for the veteran deep-range sharpshooter.
