Damian Lillard ‘Elated’ Bucks Waived Him

Damian Lillard is “elated” the Milwaukee Bucks waived and stretched him. 

Lillard, who is expected to miss most of next season because of a torn left Achilles tendon, was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons.

That amount will now be stretched over the next five seasons.

“League sources say Lillard is elated with this decision, as it puts him in the kind of basketball-first position that few All-Star level players, if any, have experienced in league history,” Sam Amick of The Athletic. “In short, he’ll be able to join the contending team of his choosing, either sometime soon or perhaps next summer, without the financial aspect of the decision playing a significant part.

“With Lillard owed $54.1 million for this coming season and $58.4 million in the 2026-27 campaign, there is a salary offset for any team that acquires him during that two-year period. And while the Bucks would surely prefer that Lillard sign for a significant salary as a way to alleviate some of their financial burden, the reality is that he could sign for a minimum-salary deal and still be paid the same amount. That’s a powerful place to be when you’re a future Hall of Famer in your mid-30s who has never won a championship.

“Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams very quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke. The question now is whether he wants to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under their care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation. All in all, it’s a dream scenario for Lillard. Especially considering he might have been heading for a change of scenery even before his injury.”

Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Lillard has played for the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.