In a surprising move, the Milwaukee Bucks will waive guard Damian Lillard as part of their strategy to create enough salary cap space to sign center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract. Team sources confirmed this decision to The Athletic on Tuesday.
Lillard, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series, is expected to miss most of the upcoming season. He was scheduled to earn $113 million over the next two years, but this amount will now be stretched over five seasons due to his waiver.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst, known for his aggressive approach towards team-building, aims to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo in a competitive position. The injury to Lillard is viewed as a setback that could hinder the team’s chances of being a true contender in the Eastern Conference next season.
By acquiring Turner from the Indiana Pacers, Horst has once again made a bold move that could reshape the landscape of the league. Turner is expected to provide significant value as a talented replacement for long-time center Brook Lopez. This trade not only strengthens the Bucks but also removes a key player from an Indiana team that eliminated them in the playoffs and reached the NBA Finals.
Turner, at 29 years old, shares an age range with Giannis Antetokounmpo, which presents an opportunity for a synergistic partnership during Antetokounmpo’s prime. Capable of shooting three-pointers at 39.3 percent on 5.2 attempts per game and averaging two blocks, Turner can replicate what Lopez brought to the Bucks over the last seven seasons.
How will Milwaukee execute this ambitious plan?
The Bucks’ strategy includes waiving and stretching Lillard’s contract, signing Taurean Prince with the minimum exception, and utilizing the room exception to acquire Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. Currently, the Bucks have $19.6 million in cap space, which they will increase to approximately $24 million by moving off Pat Connaughton’s $9.3 million salary.
What does this mean for Lillard?
According to league sources, Lillard is pleased with his release from the Bucks. This situation allows him to choose a contending team to join without financial constraints playing a significant role. With Lillard owed $54.1 million this season and $58.4 million for the following year, any team that acquires him will face a salary offset only if Lillard plays within the specified two-year period.
Interestingly, Lillard could opt to sign a minimum-salary deal with a new team while still receiving the full amount owed to him. This flexibility places him in a unique and advantageous position, especially for a future Hall of Famer in his mid-30s who has yet to secure an NBA championship title.
Not surprisingly, Lillard quickly received calls from multiple contending teams after breaking news of his release. The main question now is whether he will join a team immediately to manage his rehabilitation or wait until next summer to explore options further.
Overall, this is an optimal scenario for Lillard, particularly as he was likely already facing a need to change environments before his injury.
As reported by The Athletic in early May, there had been discussions about Lillard’s future with the Bucks, stemming from frustrations regarding on-court interactions and his struggles with being away from his family. His departure from Milwaukee now comes with a level of freedom rarely experienced in professional sports.
In conclusion, the Bucks’ decision to waive Lillard and pursue Turner signifies a pivotal moment in the franchise’s efforts to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference while modernizing their roster around their star players.
image source from：nytimes
