By Tobias Bass, Eric Nehm, John Hollinger, and Sam Amick

The Milwaukee Bucks have officially decided to waive guard Damian Lillard in a strategic move aimed at creating sufficient cap space to sign center Myles Turner to a lucrative four-year contract worth $107 million. This significant decision was confirmed by team sources to The Athletic on Tuesday.

Lillard, who suffered a devastating torn Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series, is anticipated to miss a substantial portion of the upcoming season. Originally, he was set to collect $113 million over the next two seasons, but due to this waiver, that amount will now be distributed over a period of five years.

General Manager Jon Horst of the Bucks has demonstrated a tendency for bold moves, especially as the team looks to maintain the competitive edge necessary to keep star player Giannis Antetokounmpo in a favorable situation. Lillard’s injury posed a significant challenge for the Bucks, jeopardizing their aspirations of being a serious contender in the Eastern Conference next season.

In securing Turner from the Indiana Pacers, Horst has surprised analysts across the league once again. Turner brings an impressive skill set that can effectively replace former center Brook Lopez, who has been with the team for seven seasons. With his ability to shoot from beyond the arc—averaging 39.3 percent on 5.2 attempts per game—and his defensive prowess, including two blocks per game, Turner positions the Bucks to regain their status as a formidable force in the playoffs.

This strategy also enables the Bucks to poach a valuable asset from a team that not only eliminated them from the playoffs but also represented the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. The Pacers’ elimination of the Bucks in the first round has occurred in each of the last two seasons, making this move particularly significant.

At 29 years old, Turner is an exceptional addition, sharing a close age range with Antetokounmpo, as he is roughly a year and a half younger. This synergy is expected to allow both players to thrive together, especially during Antetokounmpo’s prime years.

So, how will the Bucks orchestrate this financial maneuver? According to the salary cap mechanics, Milwaukee will waive Lillard and stretch his contract, subsequently signing Taurean Prince with the minimum exception, while also signing Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. using the room exception. Currently, the Bucks have $19.6 million in cap space, and by moving off Pat Connaughton’s $9.3 million salary, they should reach the $24 million necessary to finalize Turner’s signing.

This decision also holds important implications for Lillard’s future. Sources indicate that he is quite pleased with the Bucks’ decision to waive him, as it grants him a unique opportunity to choose his next team without being burdened by financial constraints. With $54.1 million due for this season and $58.4 million for the 2026-27 season, any team acquiring him during this two-year span will benefit from a salary offset. While the Bucks would prefer Lillard to sign for a significant salary to ease their financial responsibilities, he could opt for a minimum-salary deal without impacting his overall earnings. This situation provides him with tremendous leverage as he navigates his career at this stage.

In light of this development, Lillard has reportedly received outreach from several contending teams almost immediately after the announcement of his release. A key question now is whether he will choose to join a team immediately and begin his rehabilitation under their guidance or wait until next summer to reassess his options. This turn of events has created a dream scenario for Lillard, who may have been contemplating a change of scenery even prior to his injury.

As previously reported by The Athletic in early May, discussions were anticipated regarding Lillard's future with the Bucks after the conclusion of the last season. From on-court fit frustrations to personal challenges he faced while away from his family, it was evident that Lillard's time in Milwaukee was limited. Now, he departs with a level of freedom that is rarely experienced in professional sports.