Damian Lillard. Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

NBA analyst rips this 'desperate' Bucks move

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 4:25 PM ET

On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks made the shocking decision to waive Damian Lillard. In doing so, the franchise stretched the remaining $103M left on his deal over the next five years. Therefore, Milwaukee will have slightly over $20M in dead cap space for the foreseeable future.

Milwaukee's front office made the decision so that it could acquire Myles Turner in free agency. The Bucks mortgaged the team's entire future for a big man who has never been an All-Star. In doing so, they cut a player who had torn his Achilles while wearing their own jersey. The move undoubtedly created some bad optics around the NBA.

In a recent episode of "The Bill Simmons Show," the long-time NBA analyst slammed the Bucks' decision-making. He labeled the franchise as "desperate" for its short-sighted approach.

“I thought what Milwaukee did was one of the most desperate, reckless moves that I could ever remember since I've been a basketball fan,” Simmons said. “I hated it. I don't understand it. I think it's a disaster. ... Carrying the Dame stretch thing for five years, Idiotic. Doing it for Myles Turner. I have no idea why they would do that. I just don't understand why they wouldn't have just traded Giannis."

Milwaukee's urgency was a response to rumors that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be growing frustrated with the franchise. The Bucks have been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round for the past three consecutive seasons. However, eating up such significant dead cap space to make a move is not the correct answer.

The Bucks have already been short on trade flexibility. Now, if things don't work out with Turner, they will be backed into a corner. Rather than trying to force the issue, Milwaukee should have considered a rebuild. There's a level of hubris to the approach that has been taken.

Lillard is now free to sign elsewhere in the NBA. He will recover from his Achilles tear and likely land with a contending roster. Milwaukee, on the other hand, will be searching for a new lead ball-handler or putting more stress on Giannis' shoulders.

Simmons' comments are likely a reflection of the broader viewpoint on the Lillard situation. And now, if the Bucks can't get over the hump this season, they will be forced to hit the reset button. The problem is, they will be rebuilding with a $20M+ a year black hole on their roster for the next half decade.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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