Damian Lillard Breaks Silence on Shocking Release From Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Reacts to Reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo Approved the Myles Turner Signing

Damian Lillard was cast out by the Milwaukee Bucks just months after he returned from a serious shoulder issue to play in the postseason against Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers. Lillard ended the series by tearing his Achilles, setting him up to miss most of the 2025-26 season. Milwaukee soon lost the series, once again crashing out of the NBA postseason in the first round.

Now, Lillard has been released by the team in order to make room for signing Turner as a free agent. Lillard’s $112 million salary is now being spread over the next five seasons to make cap room to add a player like Turner.

Lillard finally reacted to the news with a gif responding to a clip of NBA Today, in which ESPN expert Ramona Shelburne stated that Giannis Antetokounmpo approved of the Turner signing and was excited.

Did Giannis Antetokounmpo Know About Damian Lillard’s Pending Release?

Of course, it is not known if Antetokounmpo knew that the team would have to sacrifice Lillard in order to make it happen. The Greek Freak would likely not be aware of the financial details of the signing or be acutely aware of the team’s precise cap situation. Shelburne later confirmed this by saying that it is not known that Antetokounmpo was aware of every aspect of the Turner signing.

“Did they tell him they were waiving Damian Lillard in order to facilitate this? I don’t know the answer to that.”

Regardless, it is very sensible that Lillard is quite upset by the whole situation. The franchise has essentially stabbed their injured star in the back just two years after trading a significant amount of assets for him.

The Bucks are understandably desperate to improve their roster in any way they can, but the Lillard move continues to be a shocking move.