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Bucks Passed on Former $132 Million No. 1 Pick in NBA Free Agency: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 10:40 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks' decision to waive All-Star Damian Lillard caught fans off guard. According to reports, the Bucks did it to make room for center Myles Turner, who signed a four-year, $107 million contract. While signing Turner was an upgrade from Brook Lopez, letting go of Lillard wasn't something that fans thought would happen early into the NBA free agency.

After the Bucks let go of Lillard, superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was reportedly unhappy.

However, it was reported that Milwaukee was exploring other options regarding its frontcourt needs. Heading into free agency, the franchise was concerned about acquiring a new starting center since Lopez's contract expired. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks took interest in Deandre Ayton before deciding on Turner.

Fischer wrote on "The Stein Line" that there were plenty of organizations interested in Ayton after he finalized a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man negotiated a buyout in hopes of signing with a contending team.

Sources: Deandre Ayton's contract buyout with Portland forfeited $10 million of his $35.6 million 2025-26 salary.

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— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 30, 2025

Among the teams that wanted to pursue the former No. 1 pick was the Bucks.

"Sources say the Bucks, for the record, did show interest in Ayton before its highly aggressive play to ditch Lillard without warning and then come to terms with Turner," Fischer reported.

However, the Bucks took the chance to sign Turner to a four-year deal. Ayton, on the other hand, joined Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The big man who was formerly signed to a four-year, $132 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, settled with a two-year, $16.6 million deal with the Lakers.

With Turner, the Bucks get a big man who can stretch the defense with his outside stroke. He's also an elite shot blocker, since he's a two-time blocks champion in the NBA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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