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Damian Lillard waived by the Bucks

Originally posted on thePeachBasket | By Eric Labrador | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 4:01 PM ET

Damian Lillard was waived by the Bucks. As per Shams Charania, the Bucks will pay the remaining salary left on his contract. Apparently he wanted to rehabilitate close to his family in Portland. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not happy that Damian was waived as per Chris Haynes. The opportunity has been laid out for the Miami Heat to do business.

Lillard waived for Myles Turner

Lillard tore his Achilles tendon during the first round playoff series with Indiana this season. He will probably not be available for the upcoming 2025-26 season. As the Bucks signed Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million free contract, the Bucks cleared space by waiving Lillard.

As of this article, the Miami Heat have not inquired about signing Damian Lillard as a free agent. But Miami and Lillard were very close to joining together two seasons ago (in 2023.) The Heat have only re-signed Nikola Jovic at the start of free agency yesterday. Miami, though, was unjustly denied the acquisition of Damian Lillard two seasons ago because of Portland GM Joe Cronin.

Heat-Portland conspiracy machinations

In the 2023 offseason, Portland traded Lillard to Milwaukee in a three-team trade that sent Jrue Holliday to Portland along with Deandre Ayton from Phoenix. Robert Williams was also part of the trade. Miami had offered a better package to Portland for Lillard but GM Joe Cronin didn’t want to trade Lillard to Miami.

The trade was horrible. Robert Williams immediately was injured and flamed out. Deandre Ayton has motivation problems and was waived by the Blazers. Portland “had a seat at the adults table” and ended up shi**ing at the table. Now, albeit under different circumstances, the proper connection can be done between Lillard and Miami.

Future prediction for Miami Heat and Damian Lillard

The Bucks didn’t inform Lillard he was getting waived. Giannis will be meeting with the Bucks front office to get placated to stay with the team, but they are rebuilding.

Lillard wanted to sign with Miami to play with Bam Adebayo. Miami isn’t among the top cities in the U.S. with Greek communities but they have St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, Rony Seikaly (former Heat player, born in Greece,) and Mykonos Miami restaurant.

Miami was not active at the start of the NBA free agency period yesterday, apart from resignings. They sure enough can finish the free agency period with activity. The Heat want to change their offense to be “more entertaining.” They can do it buy making a play for Giannis and Dame.

This article first appeared on thePeachBasket and was syndicated with permission.

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