Milwaukee Bucks Waive Damian Lillard: What’s Next for the Star Guard?

In a surprising turn of events, the Milwaukee Bucks have officially waived All-Star guard Damian Lillard, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move ends Lillard’s two-season stint with the Bucks and reshapes the team’s financial and roster outlook heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.

Lillard’s Contract Stretched for Cap Relief

The Bucks exercised the “stretch provision” in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement to remove the final $113 million on Lillard’s contract from their active salary cap books. The financial maneuver, while harsh, clears enough cap space for Milwaukee to finalize a four-year, $107 million deal with free-agent center Myles Turner, a standout from the Indiana Pacers’ 2025 NBA Finals run.

A Sudden End to a Championship Pursuit

The decision comes just two months after Lillard, 35, ruptured his left Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Pacers. The injury is expected to sideline him for most — if not all — of the upcoming season, making his hefty contract difficult to justify for a team still looking to contend alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lillard’s run in Milwaukee — widely anticipated to be one of the most potent backcourt-frontcourt duos in NBA history — ended with:

• 24.6 points, 7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game
• Top 10 in the league in both scoring and assists last season
• No playoff series wins and only three total playoff game victories

Despite his offensive production, Lillard and Antetokounmpo never developed the on-court synergy expected, and his presence wasn’t enough to compensate for the loss of Jrue Holiday, who went on to become a key piece in the Boston Celtics’ 2024 championship run.

Injury Woes Accelerated the Timeline

Earlier this year, Lillard was diagnosed with a blood clot in his calf, but returned for the playoffs, only to suffer a devastating Achilles injury just six minutes into Game 4. While his comeback effort was lauded as courageous, the long-term injury — combined with his age and contract — forced the Bucks’ front office to make a cold financial decision.

Strategic Shift for the Bucks

Milwaukee’s decision reflects a broader strategic shift:

• Brook Lopez has signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
• Myles Turner is expected to be the new stretch-five next to Giannis
• The team now regains financial flexibility and aims to rebuild around a healthier, younger supporting cast

The Business of Basketball

Lillard’s abrupt exit underscores a hard truth in professional sports: even legends aren’t immune to the business side of the game. Despite being one of the league’s 75 greatest players and a fan favorite, financial sustainability and competitive adaptability often outweigh sentiment.