Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Not Pleased’ Bucks Waived Damian Lillard

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

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. The Oakland native has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Blazers. 

The Bucks have won just one postseason series since winning the 2021 title against the Phoenix Suns in six games. 

Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed The Greek Freak to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

Antetokounmpo made the All-NBA First Team last season. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 60.1% from the floor. 

A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. 

Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets in trade rumors. The Bucks will not trade Antetokounmpo unless he requests a trade.