In a move that sent immediate shockwaves across the NBA landscape, the Milwaukee bucks have dramatically reshaped their roster on the opening day of free agency. Sources confirm the team is waiving nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard and simultaneously agreeing to a significant contract with sought-after free agent center Myles turner. This bold maneuver signals the Bucks’ aggressive commitment to retooling around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, even at the cost of parting ways with a recent high-profile acquisition. The intricate details involve salary cap gymnastics and strategically navigating player injuries, aiming to position Milwaukee for renewed Eastern Conference contention.
Bucks Secure Myles Turner in Major Deal
The centerpiece of Milwaukee’s strategic pivot is the acquisition of Myles Turner. The veteran big man, previously the longest-tenured player for the Indiana Pacers, has agreed to a four-year contract with the Bucks valued at $107 million. This substantial deal includes a player option for the fourth year, spanning the 2028-29 season, and a full 15% trade kicker, according to league sources. Securing Turner represents a significant victory in a sparse free agency market, bringing arguably the top available center to Milwaukee.
Turner, who recently completed his tenth season, was a pivotal force behind the Pacers’ impressive run to the NBA Finals. Despite his desire to remain in Indiana, negotiations ultimately stalled. Sources indicate the Pacers’ reluctance to exceed the luxury tax threshold, a position reportedly solidified after star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the Finals, paved the way for Milwaukee to make their move.
Turner’s Impact: A Two-Way Force
At 29 years old and standing 6-foot-11, Turner is a modern center perfectly suited to today’s NBA. He excels as a versatile two-way player, providing valuable floor spacing on offense and elite rim protection defensively. Last season, he delivered career-best shooting numbers, hitting an impressive 39.6% from beyond the arc on 5.5 attempts per game. His scoring average reached 15.6 points, complemented by 6.5 rebounds and a team-leading 2.0 blocks per contest.
Statistical analysis underscores Turner’s defensive prowess. He was one of only four players in the league last season to record at least 100 blocks, 100 three-pointers, and 50 steals, joining esteemed company like Victor Wembanyama and Jaren Jackson Jr. Advanced tracking data from Second Spectrum reveals opponents shot significantly worse at the basket when Turner was defending (57.7%). Furthermore, Cleaning the Glass data showed the Pacers allowed just 112.7 points per 100 possessions with Turner on the court (excluding garbage time), a defensive efficiency mark that ranked in the top eight league-wide. Pacers teammate Tyrese Haliburton has publicly praised Turner, calling him an “ideal partner” who “unlocks a lot of what I do.”
Damian Lillard Waived Using Stretch Provision
To create the necessary salary cap flexibility to onboard Turner’s contract, the Milwaukee Bucks utilized the NBA’s “stretch provision.” This mechanism allows teams to waive a player and spread their remaining guaranteed salary over a period twice the number of years remaining on the contract, plus one. In Lillard’s case, with two years and approximately $113 million remaining on his deal, the Bucks will now disburse that obligation over the next five seasons. This translates to an annual salary cap hit of roughly $22.5 million per year, well within the salary cap’s 15% threshold ($23.197 million) as per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. By employing this provision, the Bucks avoided dipping into their future draft asset pool, which remained untouched by this specific transaction.
Lillard’s Next Chapter Amidst Injury
Damian Lillard’s tenure in Milwaukee concludes after just two seasons. The surprising departure comes as the seven-time All-NBA guard is focused on rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon. Lillard suffered the injury during the first-round playoff series against the Pacers, just days after returning from a bout of deep vein thrombosis, and underwent surgery in early May. The severity of the injury means Lillard is expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.
According to sources, Lillard welcomed the decision to be waived. The move grants him significant financial security and personal flexibility. He will receive the full $113 million owed to him by the Bucks, regardless of what salary he might sign for with a future team, thanks to the league’s salary offset provision. Crucially, this freedom allows him to prioritize his rehabilitation in his home city of Portland, surrounded by family, and to carefully consider and choose his next playing destination on his own timeline. For a future Hall of Famer seeking a championship, this unexpected scenario presents a unique opportunity to land with a contender once healthy.
Strategic Rationale and Roster Reshaping
The aggressive roster moves underscore the Milwaukee Bucks’ primary objective: solidifying the team’s competitiveness around Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Antetokounmpo evaluating his long-term future, the front office, led by General Manager Jon Horst (and reportedly assisted by CAA’s Austin Brown on this complex deal), is determined to build a championship-caliber roster around him in his prime. Acquiring Turner is viewed as a significant step in this direction, replacing key skills lost with Brook Lopez’s departure to the LA Clippers in free agency. Turner’s ability to provide both shooting and rim protection mirrors Lopez’s valuable contributions but with a player nearly a year and a half younger than Giannis.
The move is also strategically relevant within the Eastern Conference landscape. By acquiring Turner from the Indiana Pacers, the team that eliminated Milwaukee from the playoffs in consecutive seasons and reached the NBA Finals, the Bucks not only strengthen themselves but also potentially weaken a key conference rival. Horst has a history of orchestrating blockbuster deals to acquire star talent, previously landing Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard through significant trades. The acquisition of Turner continues this pattern of bold moves aimed at maintaining title aspirations.
Beyond the headline Lillard-Turner transaction, the Bucks have been active across the free agency period. They completed a trade sending guard Pat Connaughton and two future second-round picks (2031, 2032) to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Vasilije Micic. The team also reached agreements to retain free agent center Jericho Sims on a two-year deal with a player option, and agreed to a two-year deal with veteran wing Gary Harris, also featuring a player option. These moves follow earlier reports of the Bucks planning to re-sign key players like Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Kevin Porter Jr., further demonstrating their intent to construct a deep and versatile roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Milwaukee Bucks make the move to waive Damian Lillard for Myles Turner?
The Milwaukee Bucks made this surprising move primarily to retool their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and improve their fit and defensive capabilities. With Damian Lillard facing a long recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, expected to miss most or all of the next season, the team sought a more immediate impact player who could contribute effectively. Myles Turner provides elite rim protection and valuable floor spacing, skills crucial for competing at the highest level. The transaction also involved salary cap strategy, using the stretch provision on Lillard’s contract to free up the necessary cap space for Turner’s significant deal.
What specific skills and stats does Myles Turner bring to the Bucks?
Myles Turner is highly valued for his defensive impact and increasingly efficient offensive game. He is a premier shot-blocker, averaging 2.0 blocks per game last season and consistently ranking among league leaders in rim protection. Offensively, he is a legitimate threat from outside, shooting a career-high 39.6% from three-point range on high volume (5.5 attempts per game) last season. His ability to space the floor as a center pulls opposing big men away from the basket, creating driving lanes for teammates like Giannis Antetokounmpo. His age (29) also aligns well with Antetokounmpo’s prime years.
What are the implications for Damian Lillard after being waived by Milwaukee?
Being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks provides Damian Lillard with an unusual degree of freedom and financial security. He will continue to receive the full $113 million guaranteed on his contract from the Bucks over the next five seasons, regardless of any new salary he earns. While rehabbing his torn Achilles tendon, he can take his time to choose his next team. This situation allows him to potentially sign with a championship contender later in his recovery or next summer, benefiting from a reduced salary cap hit for his new team due to the offset provision, making him an attractive target once fully healthy.
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Gamble
The Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to waive Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner is a high-stakes gamble, indicative of General Manager Jon Horst’s aggressive approach to team building. By parting ways with a recent All-Star acquisition struggling with injury and a questionable fit, the Bucks have invested heavily in a two-way center whose skills are seen as more complementary to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance. This complex series of moves, facilitated by salary cap maneuvers and influenced by critical player injuries, fundamentally alters the Bucks’ roster composition. As Milwaukee looks to return to championship contention and secure Antetokounmpo’s long-term future, the success or failure of this bold free agency pivot will define their trajectory in the coming seasons.
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