Bucks Ditch Dame?! Massive Move to Land Turner Shakes NBA

Bucks Make Bold Move: Waive Lillard, Clear Path for Myles Turner

In a stunning turn of events, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly waiving star guard Damian Lillard to create the necessary cap space to sign center Myles Turner, formerly of the Indiana Pacers. Team sources confirmed the move to The Athletic on Tuesday, signaling a significant shift in the Bucks' strategy to remain a top contender in the Eastern Conference.

The decision comes after Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series, an injury expected to sideline him for a considerable portion of the upcoming season. Lillard was owed a substantial **$113 million over the next two seasons**, an amount that will now be stretched over the next five years through the waiver process.

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst, known for his aggressive pursuit of talent to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo, has once again surprised the league with this bold maneuver.

The Key Details:

• Myles Turner is expected to sign a four-year, $107 million contract with the Bucks.
• Damian Lillard’s salary will be stretched over five years after being waived.
• Jon Horst continues to make aggressive moves to keep the Bucks competitive.

By acquiring Turner, the Bucks aim to fill the void left by Brook Lopez and bolster their frontcourt with a player who can both stretch the floor and protect the rim. Turner, 29, is a proven commodity in the NBA, averaging **39.3 percent from three-point range on 5.2 attempts per game** and averaging **two blocks per game** on defense.

“Turner gives Milwaukee a highly talented replacement for center Brook Lopez and reconfigures its roster so that the team once again can compete for a top playoff seed in the East,” sources said.

How are the Bucks making this happen financially? According to senior NBA writer John Hollinger, the Bucks plan to:

1. Waive and stretch Lillard’s contract.
2. Sign Taurean Prince using the minimum exception.
3. Sign Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. into the room exception.

These moves would leave Milwaukee with roughly **$19.6 million in cap room**, which they plan to increase to the necessary $24 million by trading Pat Connaughton's $9.3 million salary.

What About Damian Lillard's Future?

Interestingly, sources indicate that Lillard is pleased with the Bucks' decision, viewing it as an opportunity to join a contending team of his choice. With his salary guaranteed regardless of where he signs, Lillard has unprecedented freedom to prioritize basketball fit over financial considerations.

As senior writer Sam Amick reported, Lillard had already been contemplating his future with the Bucks, citing on-court fit issues and the challenges of being away from his family. This move provides Lillard with a clean slate and a chance to chase a championship with a team of his choosing.

“League sources say Lillard is elated with this decision, as it puts him in the kind of basketball-first position that few All-Star-level players, if any, have experienced in league history.”

The Bucks' decision to waive Lillard and pursue Turner represents a bold gamble aimed at solidifying their position as a top contender in the Eastern Conference. While questions remain about the long-term implications of this move, one thing is clear: the Milwaukee Bucks are not afraid to take risks in their pursuit of championship glory, and Damian Lillard has been given the rare opportunity to choose his next chapter on his own terms.

Tags: Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard, Myles Turner, NBA, Giannis, NBA Rumors, NBA Trade, Jon Horst, Basketball, NBA News

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6465715/2025/07/01/damian-lillard-waived-bucks-myles-turner-nba-free-agency/