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Damian Lillard Receives Unfortunate News on Tuesday After Wild Bucks Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ishaan Bhattacharya | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 12:24 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks were dealt a franchise-altering injury in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, as Damian Lillard tore his Achilles and was ruled out for most of the 2025-26 NBA season. For a Bucks team with limited assets and a win-now window with Giannis Antetokounmpo, taking a gap year while Lillard heals is nigh-impossible.

As the 2025 free agency rages on, the Milwaukee Bucks stunned everyone by signing Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract. They didn't have the necessary salary space to make the signing possible, so fans were left confused until Shams Charania revealed how they made this signing legal.

According to Shams Charania, the Bucks have informed Damian Lillard that they'll be waiving and stretching the remaining $113 million on Lillard's contract, making him a free agent and giving the Bucks the cap room required to make the Turner signing possible.

"Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon."

Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/eg1D1TMFM6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds with the Bucks last season. The nine-time NBA All-Star joined the Bucks in 2023 after spending his entire career with the Portland Trail Blazers, but his Bucks tenure has been disappointing.

Despite his impressive numbers, Lillard hasn't been able to help Giannis in taking the Bucks past the first round of the Playoffs. With his advancing age and declining production being compounded by his Achilles' tear, the Bucks have decided to move on by waiving him instead of letting him heal up or trade him.

Signing Turner is a huge positive, with Myles serving as a supercharged version of what Brook Lopez provided alongside Giannis. But the loss of Lillard has stunned everyone, with the player now rehabbing his injury without an NBA home.

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

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