NBA free agency exploded, and Milwaukee <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/02/nba-offseason-every-free-agency-deal-extension-trade-for-all-30-teams/" title="NBA Offseason: Complete 2025 Team moves Tracker”>bucks superstar Giannis antetokounmpo had a notable reaction to his team’s flurry of early moves. As major transactions unfolded rapidly across the league, the Bucks initiated significant changes, leading to public and reported private responses from their franchise player. These decisions included key departures and new acquisitions, immediately sparking discussion about the team’s direction and Antetokounmpo’s long-term future in Milwaukee.
Giannis’s Immediate Social Media Reaction
Antetokounmpo offered a public glimpse into his mindset as the Bucks began reshaping their roster. He took to social media, sharing a screenshot of former teammate Brook Lopez from the team’s 2021 championship celebration. Overlaid on the image was a telling caption: “I don’t know what’s going on right now, man.” Adding to the sentiment, Antetokounmpo included his own note: “Mood đź’Ż.” This post strongly suggested a feeling of surprise or perhaps confusion regarding the swift and impactful developments involving his team right at the outset of free agency.
Bucks Shake Up Roster: Lillard Waived, Turner Signed
The moves prompting Antetokounmpo’s reaction were substantial and happened in quick succession. First, news broke that veteran center Brook Lopez was departing after seven seasons with the Bucks. Lopez, a key contributor to their 2021 title run, agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract to join the LA Clippers. His departure marked the end of a significant era for Milwaukee’s frontcourt.
Minutes after Antetokounmpo’s social media post, an even bigger move was reported: the Bucks waived nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. This decision utilized the stretch provision in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. This allowed the Bucks to nullify the final two years of Lillard’s contract, which still carried a remaining $113 million owed. By using the stretch provision, the team can spread this massive salary cap hit over the subsequent five seasons, providing immediate cap relief. The timing was striking, as Lillard was waived just over 18 hours into the official free-agent negotiation window.
Crucially, the decision to waive Lillard came almost immediately after another major report: the Bucks had reportedly agreed to a four-year, $107 million contract to sign center Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers. This sequence of events suggests a clear strategic link between Lillard’s departure and securing Turner, likely driven by salary cap considerations. Lillard had joined the Bucks in 2023 after a long tenure in Portland and averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds for Milwaukee in the 2024-25 regular season before an Achilles tear ended his playoff run early. It remains unknown if Antetokounmpo was informed of Lillard’s release before his social media post.
Behind the Scenes: Insider Reports on Giannis’s Feelings
While Antetokounmpo’s public reaction conveyed confusion, insider reports painted a picture of deeper dissatisfaction. According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, Giannis Antetokounmpo was reportedly “not pleased” with the decision to waive Damian Lillard, especially as it cleared the path to sign Myles Turner. Haynes added that Giannis “just didn’t like how it was handled.” This reported displeasure highlights a potential rift regarding the team’s front office strategy and communication.
The context of this reported unhappiness includes Damian Lillard’s recent history with the team. Lillard is expected to miss a significant portion, possibly all, of the upcoming 2025-26 season due to the torn Achilles injury suffered in the playoffs. Furthermore, despite the initial excitement surrounding the pairing of two superstars, the Giannis-Lillard duo reportedly “never yielded the results the Bucks had hoped.” Their partnership saw the team exit the playoffs in the first round for two consecutive seasons, a period marked by injuries to one or both stars during crucial playoff moments. The cost of acquiring Lillard in 2023 was also substantial, involving Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, and valuable draft assets.
The Broader Free Agency Landscape
These significant Milwaukee Bucks roster moves occurred within a wider, fast-paced NBA free agency period. After a brief initial quiet spell, the market quickly heated up with numerous deals being reported. Other major transactions included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agreeing to a massive four-year, $285 million supermax extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, following their NBA title win. Kevon Looney also made headlines, leaving the Golden State Warriors to sign a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, reuniting him with former teammate Jordan Poole. While the league landscape shifted rapidly, the Bucks’ decisions involving Lillard and Turner were among the most surprising and impactful early moves.
What These Moves Mean for Giannis’s Future in Milwaukee
The combination of major roster changes, consecutive playoff disappointments, and Antetokounmpo’s reported unhappiness with the team’s handling of moves has intensified existing speculation about his long-term future with the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo currently has two years remaining on the three-year, $186 million extension he signed in October 2023. However, reports from insiders like Shams Charania have previously indicated Antetokounmpo maintains an “open-minded” or “wait and see” stance regarding whether his best fit remains in Milwaukee.
These recent aggressive roster alterations, particularly the waiving of a star acquired at high cost and the signing of another significant contract, place the team in a complex position. The Bucks are navigating a difficult dilemma: continuing to make moves aimed at competing immediately and “salvaging his prime,” or potentially facing the prospect of a full rebuild, which would likely involve entertaining trade offers for Antetokounmpo himself. While he has not formally requested a trade, sources suggest that the team’s current outlook after these moves makes it “very possible” the Bucks could consider trade discussions later in the offseason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Bucks waive Damian Lillard?
The Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard primarily to create salary cap flexibility. By using the stretch provision on his remaining $113 million contract, they spread the cap hit over five years instead of two. This maneuver was reportedly necessary to free up the space required to sign center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract. Lillard was also recovering from a significant Achilles injury that could affect his availability.
How can I follow updates on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future?
You can stay informed about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future by following reputable NBA news sources and insiders. Look for reports from well-known journalists at major sports networks like ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and the New York Post, as referenced in this article. Monitoring reports from insiders such as Chris Haynes and Shams Charania often provides the latest information regarding player sentiments and potential team strategies.
Are the Bucks likely to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo after these moves?
While Giannis Antetokounmpo has not requested a trade, recent reports suggest the possibility of the Bucks considering trade discussions has increased. The team’s significant roster changes, including waiving Damian Lillard, and their string of early playoff exits (three consecutive first-round losses) create uncertainty. Coupled with Antetokounmpo’s reported displeasure with how certain moves were handled, some insiders believe the team might evaluate their path forward, potentially leading to a “change of heart” about trading their superstar later this offseason.
The initial phase of NBA free agency has certainly provided plenty for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks faithful to process. From public social media reactions hinting at confusion to reported insider accounts of dissatisfaction with specific decisions, Giannis’s response underscores the magnitude of the Bucks’ rapid roster changes. Waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner, following Brook Lopez’s departure, represents a bold strategic shift. These moves, however, also add another layer of complexity to the ongoing questions surrounding Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment to the franchise as the team navigates a pivotal moment following a period of playoff struggles.
