MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Bucks stunned the league by choosing to waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s contract on Tuesday morning. The decision, which clears room to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal, has sparked strong emotions inside the Bucks’ locker room. Chris Haynes reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo felt blindsided by the move. “He just didn’t like the way it was handled,” Haynes wrote, capturing the tension that erupted when news of the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard breakup spread.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Reaction And Future After Bucks Waive Damian Lillard
The Backstory Of A Costly Partnership
The Bucks brought in Lillard during the 2023 offseason. They wanted his elite shot-making and leadership to lift Giannis’ championship window. For two seasons, the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard pairing promised Milwaukee fans another title chase. That promise never amounted to anything serious though, suffering back-to-back first round exits in their time together.
But injuries changed everything. Lillard’s Achilles surgery in May ended his run and forced the Bucks’ front office to make an agonizing choice. They will now pay Lillard’s $113 million salary over five years using the league’s stretch provision.
By acting before August 29, the Bucks protect their future picks while absorbing a stretched cap hit of $22.5 million per year — within the 15% limit of the league’s salary cap.
Why Giannis Stayed Involved
Despite losing a co-star, Giannis remains invested. He even helped the front office recruit Turner, hoping the former Pacer would bring defensive toughness to Milwaukee’s new-look roster. “Giannis, I believe, is looking for reasons to stay in Milwaukee,” Brian Windhorst said on First Take.
“This is mortgaging your mortgage to buy a sports car.”@WindhorstESPN weighs in on the Bucks waiving Damian Lillard to acquire Myles Turner
pic.twitter.com/2hMjzCJUag
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 1, 2025
Turner’s contract includes a player option for Year 4 and a full 15% trade kicker. His arrival signals the Bucks’ intention to stay competitive around Antetokounmpo.
Windhorst added, “If Giannis was looking for a reason to stay in Milwaukee, this was enough of a reason to be excited about coming back.”
A New Core, A Familiar Goal
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard’s partnership ending, the Bucks now pivot toward a fresh core. Antetokounmpo will share the floor with Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Gary Trent Jr., and Kevin Porter Jr. Bobby Portis remains under contract too, preserving at least part of the championship DNA that delivered a title in 2021.
Meanwhile, the front office must balance a costly future. Windhorst described it as, “This is mortgaging your mortgage to buy a sports car.” He added, “I guess if you get the girl, which is Giannis in this case, maybe it’s worth it?”
No Plans To Bolt — For Now
For teams like the Spurs, Knicks, and Heat — franchises quietly hoarding assets in case Antetokounmpo forced his way out — this week’s news changes the calculus. As Windhorst said, “You have to reevaluate how you’re now operating over the next few days as well.”
For now, Antetokounmpo will stay. He remains under contract for two more years and appears committed to seeing if this new plan works. Milwaukee’s hope is that Turner, with his rim protection and floor spacing, becomes the perfect big to support Giannis’ interior game. On paper, he’s an upgrade over the once-impactful-but-now-aging Brook Lopez. Lopez agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal to join the Clippers.
Lillard Moves On, Bucks Look Ahead
Meanwhile, Lillard accepted the buyout. He can now rehab his Achilles back home in Portland and choose his next stop when ready. His exit closes a chapter that started with championship dreams and ends with financial flexibility.
The Bucks hope that sacrificing the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard pairing gives them a stronger chance to compete today — and keep Giannis happy tomorrow. Whether that gamble pays off will shape Milwaukee’s future for years to come.
© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The post Giannis’ Reaction And Future After Bucks Waive Damian Lillard appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.