Dec 10, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Shocking Damian Lillard-Bucks move draws comparison to Luka Doncic trade

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks decided to set the NBA ablaze on Tuesday morning. Reports started surfacing that they were signing Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract, stealing him away fresh off an NBA Finals appearance and with the Pacers still wanting him back.

Many people were confused about how the Bucks were able to make that work, as they didn't have any money to play with. But minutes later, it was announced that the Bucks were waiving star guard Damian Lillard from the remainder of his two-year, $113 million contract. That puts them on the books for $22 million in dead cap for each of the next five seasons, a truly surprising move, but with Lillard out for likely the entire 2025-26 season, one could see how the Bucks got to this point.

This is by far the most shocking move of the NBA offseason so far, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with how it was handled, according to reports. In today's NBA, any shocking move is compared to when the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic in the middle of the night to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis.

NBA analyst and podcaster Bill Simmons took to Twitter/X for his take on the move to waive Lillard, saying, "On the WTF scale of 1 to Luka Trade, the Bucks stretching Dame was like a 7 or an 8. Did not see that one coming."

On the WTF scale of 1 to Luka Trade, the Bucks stretching Dame was like an 7 or an 8. Did not see that one coming.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 1, 2025

The Bucks' decision to waive Lillard will come with all sorts of Giannis Antetokounmpo questions. There were already rumblings that he may wish to move on to a new team if the offseason didn't go well. This likely won't do anything to calm that speculation.

For Lillard, he can now take his time recovering from his torn Achilles and join any team he wishes once he's fully healthy. For a player whose biggest hole in his resume is a missing championship, that could be huge for him.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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