What’s Next for Damian Lillard After His Surprising Exit from Milwaukee?

The Milwaukee Bucks have made a bold decision by waiving star point guard Damian Lillard. This move, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, will help the Bucks clear $113 million from their books over the next two years. This comes shortly after Lillard suffered a serious Achilles injury during the playoffs, sidelining him for most, if not all, of the upcoming NBA season.

The Bucks are now looking to make a splash in free agency by signing center Myles Turner, fresh off leading the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals. Adding Turner will give Milwaukee a dynamic duo alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been the face of the franchise and a two-time MVP.

Lillard’s time in Milwaukee lasted just 21 months. The combination of injuries and tough circumstances meant the Bucks didn’t see the success they hoped for. In two seasons with the team, Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. But he couldn’t gel with Antetokounmpo in the way that the team envisioned.

Lillard fought hard to return from a blood clot issue just before the playoffs, only to suffer a torn Achilles shortly after. This unfortunate turn of events has left fans and analysts questioning the direction of both Lillard’s career and the Bucks’ future.

The Bucks’ decision was also strategic. Waiving Lillard allows them to spread his remaining salary over several years, optimizing their salary cap for future moves. However, stretching Lillard’s salary creates a significant charge of roughly $22.5 million, which will be a financial hurdle in the coming years.

Look back at Lillard’s journey. After 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, he sought a chance to compete for an NBA title. Despite his efforts, his time in Milwaukee hasn’t played out as he hoped. Some reports suggest Giannis may not fully agree with how the Bucks handled the situation, indicating that the implications of this decision could affect team morale.

As the Bucks continue to reshape their roster, they are looking to take advantage of an Eastern Conference that is in flux. With other teams like the Boston Celtics also making significant changes, the Bucks will need to find their footing quickly to stay competitive.

While this shake-up is unsettling for fans who had high hopes for Lillard, it is a calculated gamble for the Bucks. Only time will tell if this decision ultimately benefits their championship aspirations, but for now, they’re focused on building a team that can support Giannis as he aims for another title run.



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