Bucks Waiving Damian Lillard To Sign Myles Turner

The Milwaukee Bucks are making significant roster changes by releasing their injured point guard, Damian Lillard, to sign a top free agent centre. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Bucks will waive Lillard and spread out the remaining $113 million of his contract. This move allows them to acquire Myles Turner.

Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year deal worth $107 million with the Bucks. The contract includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a full 15% trade kicker. Turner recently helped the Indiana Pacers reach the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Bucks Waive Lillard for Myles Turner Signing

During the regular season, Turner played in 72 games, averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a career-high of 2.2 made three-pointers per game. His average of 2 blocks per game was second in the league. Drafted by Indiana in 2015 as the 11th overall pick, he spent ten seasons with them.

Damian Lillard is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to a torn Achilles suffered during Game 4 of Milwaukee's first-round series against Indiana. Lillard had joined Milwaukee two years ago after an eleven-season stint with Portland Trail Blazers, who drafted him sixth overall in 2012.

In his last season with Milwaukee, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while making it to his ninth All-Star Game. However, he missed several games due to deep vein thrombosis before rupturing his Achilles tendon upon returning.

Bucks' Recent Moves

The Bucks have also signed Bobby Portis on a three-year contract valued at $44 million but lost Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers when free agency began on Monday. With Lillard now waived, he can choose any team for his next move.

Lillard's career averages stand at 25.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds over 900 regular-season games. He has been selected seven times for All-NBA honours throughout his career.