Damian Lillard was blindsided, and he’s not alone.
After the Milwaukee Bucks made the stunning decision to waive Lillard and stretch his $113 million contract over five years in order to sign Myles Turner, NBA insider Chris Haynes dropped a series of bombshells that peeled back the curtain on how it all unfolded and how it’s reverberating throughout the locker room.
“I spoke with Damian Lillard briefly, and, you know, he was surprised. He was surprised. The Bucks did recently go out there to Portland to meet with Dame, but they did not tell Dame that this was coming. He had no clue about that as well. I was told that Dame found out about the situation just like everybody else found out.”
“So, you know, you could read into that as you may, but at the end of the day, he’s going to be a free agent, first time ever in his career. He’s going to have the opportunity to choose his own team.”
“And, you know, he’s been working out. I’ve been seeing videos of him working out, rehabbing right now. So he’s in a good place mentally. But there’s definitely things that could have been done and handled differently, for sure.”
That alone has sent shockwaves through the NBA world. Lillard, a future Hall of Famer and one of the league’s most respected veterans, was not even given the courtesy of a heads-up before his abrupt release. This wasn’t just a cap-clearing move; it was a cold, calculated departure from the loyalty-based culture Milwaukee used to pride itself on.
Marc J Spear has since confirmed that Lillard likely would have left the Bucks next summer anyway had he reached free agency under healthier circumstances.
“Don’t feel bad for Damian Lillard. This is a win-win. Dame had a player option for next summer that he was considering not exercising. No secret living away from family in Milwaukee was a challenge. So he gets his $ and is now an unrestricted free agent free to go where HE wants.”
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo is said to be “not pleased” with how the franchise dumped his co-star.
Haynes reported that Antetokounmpo “didn’t like how it was handled” and has been “weighing his options” regarding his future with Milwaukee, again stirring up those annual whispers about whether the Greek Freak might finally explore other teams.
In the immediate aftermath, it’s clear Milwaukee prioritized cap maneuvering and long-term roster fit. By stretching Lillard’s $112.6 million deal, they’ll now carry $22.5 million in dead cap space for the next five years. That’s a significant hit and shows just how desperate they were to reshape the team around Giannis.
In return, they acquired Myles Turner, a 28-year-old elite rim protector and floor spacer coming off a season where he averaged 15.6 points and shot a career-best 39.6% from three. Turner gives Giannis the defensive anchor and frontcourt partner he’s lacked since Brook Lopez’s prime. But at what cost?
Lillard’s Bucks tenure ends with bittersweet disappointment. After arriving in 2023 with championship hopes, he battled injuries, chemistry issues, and playoff heartbreak. He averaged 24.6 points and 7.0 assists but never got to show his full impact in the postseason due to health setbacks.
Now, his departure leaves behind more than just cap room. It leaves questions about culture, trust, and whether the Bucks just made a win-now gamble that could haunt them later.
