In what might go down as the boldest move of the 2025 NBA offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks have executed a jaw-dropping double swing of roster reshuffling. As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, free agent center Myles Turner has signed a four-year, $107 million deal with the Bucks, which includes a player option in the final year and a 15% trade kicker.
Simultaneously, Milwaukee has waived Damian Lillard, stretching the remaining $113 million on his deal over five years to clear room for Turner’s arrival.
The shockwaves hit instantly. Turner, who had spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers, was reportedly determined to remain with the franchise after their Finals run. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, shooting 48.1% from the field and a career-best 39.6% from three this past season.
His elite shot blocking and floor spacing had made him a cornerstone in Indiana. But with Tyrese Haliburton’s injury expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of next season, Indiana reportedly pulled back from a hefty long-term offer, fearing the luxury tax.
That created an opening, and Bucks GM Jon Horst pounced.
Working closely with CAA’s Austin Brown, Milwaukee pulled off a stunning financial maneuver. By waiving and stretching Lillard’s deal, the Bucks reduced his cap hit to roughly $22.6 million per year over five seasons till the 2029-30 season.
This gives the Bucks less flexibility year-to-year, but enough room this offseason to make a splash for Turner without hard-capping themselves under the new CBA.
But this allowed them to sign Turner outright without sacrificing future draft picks or young talent, an incredibly rare feat in today’s tightly capped NBA landscape.
Lillard’s exit ends a turbulent two-year stint in Milwaukee. After being acquired in a blockbuster deal in 2023, he struggled with injuries and chemistry issues alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A torn Achilles in the 2025 playoffs sealed his fate, as his recovery timeline remains uncertain. While his leadership and clutch ability will be missed, the Bucks decided they couldn’t afford to wait on a 35-year-old guard with an uncertain future and a massive salary.
Instead, they’re going all-in on Giannis and Turner, a pairing that gives Milwaukee perhaps the league’s most fearsome defensive frontcourt. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor gives Giannis much-needed space in the paint, while his rim protection allows Giannis to freelance more aggressively on defense.
The Bucks still have their $5 million bi-annual exception and a few tradeable pieces, meaning more moves are likely to come.
Perhaps the most critical consequence of this move? It solidifies Giannis’ future in Milwaukee. Rumors had swirled earlier this offseason that Giannis was, for the first time in his career, open to exploring other teams. But with the aggressive reshuffling and a renewed commitment to surrounding him with versatile, high-IQ players, those whispers have gone silent.
In a league where superstars increasingly control the narrative, the Bucks just flipped the script. They sacrificed a fading superstar, landed a younger frontcourt anchor, and made a statement: Milwaukee isn’t waiting to win, they’re acting now.
