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Damian Lillard ‘Surprised’ Bucks Waived Him, Had No Idea This Would Happen

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:02 PM ET

Damian Lillard is “surprised” the Milwaukee Bucks waived him.

The veteran guard had no idea this would happen.

Lillard could miss all of next season recovering from his left Achilles tendon tear.

“He was surprised. … [The Bucks] did not tell Dame that this was coming… I was told that Dame found out about his situation just like everybody else found out.”

Chris Haynes on Damian Lillard being waived by Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/qi4cxarJEy

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 1, 2025

The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in a Milwaukee uniform.

Milwaukee lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 playoffs.

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

A future Hall of Famer, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Blazers.

For the first time in his career, Lillard is an unrestricted free agent. He wanted to get traded to the Miami Heat in 2023.

This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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