A Bold Roster Overhaul
On July 1, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks executed a blockbuster move, signing free agent center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract while waiving All-Star guard Damian Lillard, stretching his $113 million contract over five years to create cap space. Reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, this decision reshapes the Bucks’ roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, addressing frontcourt needs after Brook Lopez’s departure. This article details the transaction, Turner’s fit, Lillard’s exit, and the broader implications, incorporating insights from recent reports.
Transaction Details: Turner In, Lillard Out
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Myles Turner Signing: Turner, a 29-year-old center, agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with a player option for 2028-29 and a 15% trade kicker. After 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Turner’s move to Milwaukee followed Indiana’s reluctance to pay the luxury tax, especially with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by an Achilles injury.
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Damian Lillard Waived: The Bucks used the NBA’s stretch provision to waive Lillard, spreading his $113 million contract ($63.2 million for 2025-26) over five seasons. Lillard, 34, is rehabbing a torn Achilles from the 2025 playoffs, likely missing most or all of 2025-26.
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Cap Strategy: Bucks GM Jon Horst and CAA’s Austin Brown orchestrated the deal in a tight free agency market, preserving draft assets while exiting second-apron restrictions. The Bucks also re-signed Bobby Portis ($44M, three years), Gary Trent Jr. ($7.5M, two years), and Kevin Porter Jr. ($11M, two years).
Myles Turner: Fit and Impact
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Player Profile: Turner, a 6-foot-11 center, averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 2024-25, shooting a career-high 39.6% from three. One of three NBA players with 700 three-pointers and 1,400 blocks (alongside Brook Lopez and Rasheed Wallace), he offers rim protection and floor spacing.
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Fit with Bucks: Turner replaces Lopez, who signed with the Clippers, pairing with Antetokounmpo to form a formidable frontcourt. His defensive versatility and shooting complement Giannis’s playmaking, with both players valuing the partnership.
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Playoff Context: Turner’s 46 blocks in Indiana’s 2025 playoff run, despite a weaker NBA Finals (10.6 points, 37.7% FG), highlight his defensive impact. His signing aims to keep Milwaukee competitive in a weakened Eastern Conference.
Damian Lillard’s Exit
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Performance and Injury: Lillard, acquired in 2023, earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2023-24 but tore his Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 first-round playoffs against Indiana. His lackluster fit with Antetokounmpo and high salary prompted the waiver.
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Future Outlook: Lillard is expected to clear waivers and become a top free agent in 2026, with interest from teams like the Miami Heat, his preferred destination in 2023. The waiver allows him to rehab without pressure.
Community and Industry Reactions
Social Media Sentiment
Posts on X reflect shock at the move, with @Wiscodsin mistakenly claiming Turner signed for the mid-level exception, highlighting the deal’s unexpected nature. Fans like @AidanDoc__ praised Turner’s fit with Giannis but worried about the guard position, while @jam7_jack5 criticized the Bucks’ Finals drought. @BrotherlySixers compared it to Phoenix’s cap struggles, reflecting mixed sentiment.
Industry Insights
Analysts commend Bucks GM Jon Horst’s creativity. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted the cap flexibility gained by stretching Lillard’s contract, while The Athletic called the waiver a “reprieve” for Lillard. CBS Sports labeled Turner’s signing a “stunner,” but critics highlight Milwaukee’s lack of a primary playmaker, with Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. as key guards. Indiana’s tax aversion and Haliburton’s injury were pivotal, as Turner wished to stay with the Pacers.
The Bigger Picture: NBA and Bucks’ Future
The Bucks’ move aligns with the NBA’s trend of bold roster retooling amid injuries to stars like Lillard and Haliburton. India’s NBA fanbase, growing 15% annually, is engaged with the drama, though no Indian players are directly involved. Milwaukee’s retooled roster, with Turner, Portis, Trent, and Porter, aims for a deep 2025-26 playoff run, but the lack of a true point guard raises concerns. Turner’s signing positions the Bucks to capitalize on a weaker East, but Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment remains a key storyline.
FAQ: Key Questions Answered
Why did the Bucks waive Damian Lillard?
To free cap space for Myles Turner’s $107M deal, stretching Lillard’s $113M contract over five years due to his Achilles injury and $63.2M 2025-26 salary.
What is Myles Turner’s contract?
A four-year, $107 million deal with a player option for 2028-29 and a 15% trade kicker.
Why did Turner leave the Pacers?
Indiana’s aversion to the luxury tax, worsened by Haliburton’s injury, led to a low offer, allowing Milwaukee to sign Turner.
What is Lillard’s next step?
He’ll rehab his Achilles and likely become a top free agent in 2026, with interest from teams like the Miami Heat.
How does Turner fit with the Bucks?
His rim protection and 39.6% three-point shooting complement Antetokounmpo, addressing the void left by Brook Lopez.
A High-Stakes Pivot for Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Bucks’ July 1, 2025, signing of Myles Turner for $107 million, paired with waiving Damian Lillard, marks a dramatic retooling around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Turner’s defensive and shooting prowess fills a critical need, but Lillard’s exit leaves a playmaking gap. The move, driven by cap constraints and Indiana’s tax concerns, has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with India’s NBA audience closely following. As the Bucks eye a 2025-26 playoff push, Turner’s integration and Antetokounmpo’s buy-in will determine if this gamble secures another title.
