The Bucks made their first bold stroke way ahead of the 2025 NBA free agency. They exercised a high-stakes management-financial option: waiving the All-Star injured guard Damian Lillard and stretching the balance of his multi-million contract for the sake of creating room for a major roster upgrade. Consequently, they signed Myles Turner, an equally sought-after big man in the market, to a four-year contract of $107 million.
What just happened?
Waiving Damian Lillard
As Lillard is recovering from an Achilles ailment he sustained back in April, he was left with approximately $113 million on his contract for the next two seasons. The Bucks decided to go for the stretch option, slumping this burden into five years. This strategic move enables salary space to be freed up significantly at this time.
Signing Myles Turner
With that space now created, the front office completed their free agent's acquisition of Turner with a four-year, $107 million contract that includes an option for the final year and a 15% trade kicker. After spending a decade in Indiana, Turner provides the Bucks with some much-needed rim protection and floor space.
Why it matters
Financial ingenuity
One important factor was the stretch provision. In other words, by spreading out Lillard's cap hit across multiple seasons, the Bucks can maximize their current roster flexibility while conserving future draft assets and not surpassing the NBA's luxury tax thresholds.
Frontcourt transformation
Last season with the Pacers, Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting nearly 40% from three. He fills in for Brook Lopez and provides a huge upgrade in terms of interior defense for Milwaukee.
Locker-room dynamics
Giannis Antetokounmpo vehemently asserts he will stay, but claims of discontent on his part regarding Lillard's waiver are trickling in-possibly the first flickers of dissent behind the curtain as the franchise takes a new direction.
Impact Summary
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Cap Space | Stretch provision keeps assets intact while enabling big signings |
| Roster Depth | Turner provides elite rim protection, floor spacing, and playoff readiness |
| Future Outlook | Bold gambit sends a message: contenders only; expect more high-profile moves |
Strategic outlook
The Milwaukee front office, headed by GM Jon Horst, has now made it abundantly clear that they are all-in on contending now. The Turner signing solidifies their center position and sets the Bucks up solidly among contenders in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, it also raises a crucial storyline heading into the offseason-will Giannis remain content in this pathway forward?
Final Take
An All-NBA guard was waived by the Bucks, absorbing a long-term stretch contract for the sake of adding a defensive anchor, an extreme contrast in team-building philosophy. If they have moved to do this life-changing step, fully justifying their title contention hopes and keeping Giannis with them, this will surely stand as their piece de resistance. Conversely, a high-stakes offseason bazaar awaits Milwaukee if it is not so. Now the ball is well and truly in their court.
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