Milwaukee Bucks waive Damian Lillard, get Myles Turner on 4-year, $107 million deal

In a bold bit of summer business, the Milwaukee Bucks are parting ways with Damian Lillard, waiving the All-Star guard and spreading out the remaining $113 million on his contract to make room for a fresh face in the frontcourt. According to ESPN, Myles Turner is heading to Milwaukee on a four-year, $107 million deal that includes a player option for the 2028–29 season and a juicy 15% trade kicker for good measure.

Lillard's two-year stint with the Bucks wraps up as he recovers from Achilles surgery he underwent in early May. It's an unceremonious exit for the veteran sharpshooter, whose time in Milwaukee was as dramatic as it was brief. Meanwhile, the Bucks are betting big on Turner to bolster their interior defense and stretch the floor.

The Bucks have yet again pulled off a bit of financial wizardry, stretching Damian Lillard's hefty salary across the next five years without dipping into their stash of future draft picks. Call it salary cap gymnastics with a smooth landing.

Meanwhile, Myles Turner, who's been the heart of the Pacers for a full decade, had hoped to stick around in Indiana. But after their Game 7 Finals heartbreak against the Thunder, and Tyrese Haliburton's devastating Achilles tear, Indy suddenly got cold feet about footing a luxury tax bill. That hesitation opened the door for Milwaukee to swoop in and snag their new big man.

At 29, Turner isn't just a rim protector—he's a floor-spacer with serious range. This past season, the 6ft 11in center knocked down threes at a blistering 39.6% clip, while averaging 15.6 PPG, 6.5 boards, and swatting away two shots a night. He also swatted a Pacers playoff-record 46 shots this postseason, just for good measure.

He now joins elite company as one of only three players in NBA history with at least 700 made threes and 1,400 blocks, sharing that rare air with Brook Lopez and Rasheed Wallace. Not bad company to keep if you're planning on anchoring a title contender.

Navigating a tight and sluggish free-agent market, Bucks GM—and CAA heavyweight—Austin Brown pulled off a jaw-dropping maneuver to give Milwaukee a fresh coat of paint. The blockbuster move clears the decks for the team to rebuild around Giannis Antetokounmpo with real intent once again.

Milwaukee is bringing back fan-favorite Bobby Portis, along with proven sniper Gary Trent Jr., versatile wing Taurean Prince, and the enigmatic but talented Kevin Porter Jr. On the flip side, they bid farewell to Brook Lopez, who took his talents to the LA Clippers.

Just a few weeks ago, acquiring Myles Turner seemed like a pipe dream for the Bucks, given their financial bind. But somehow, through some clever cap gymnastics and a dash of boldness, they've carved out a lane to land the big man.

With Giannis openly pondering whether Milwaukee is still the right place for his long-term ambitions, the front office didn’t sit around twiddling their thumbs—they've swung big again, reminding everyone the Bucks aren't ready to fade quietly into the background.