The Bucks have found their new starting centre, waiving Damian Lillard to make it happen
In a truly stunning turn of events, ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that free agent centre Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107m deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. The deal includes a player option in the final year and a 15% trade kicker. To facilitate the deal, the Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113m on his contract.
FROM SHAMS:
BREAKING: Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner.
— Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-07-01T15:08:33.275Z
Charania also reported that Turner and his representatives made it known that he wanted to stay in Indiana and were pushing to finalise a deal since the Pacers lost Game 7 of the NBA Finals. However, Indiana’s aversion to paying the tax—which grew after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury—allowed the Bucks to land their new starting centre. Bucks GM Jon Horst was aggressive in his pursuit of the talented big as free agency opened:
“Bucks GM Jon Horst and CAA Co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown partnered on executing a massive deal in a market scarce of salary cap space during the opening days of free agency.”
ESPN’s Bobby Marks outlined that Lillard’s contract—which had two years and $112,583,016 to run—will be stretched over five seasons at $22,516,603 per season. Marks also noted that the maximum amount of salary stretched cannot exceed 15% of the salary cap. 15% of the 2025-26 salary cap is $23,197,050. Lillard’s contract fits by a whisker.
Crucially, this deal enables the Bucks to remain competitive in the short term without further compromising any more future draft picks. Time and time again, Horst has made significant moves as Giannis’ free agency approached; this time was no different. But it’s not all completely positive news, with Chris Haynes reporting that Antetokounmpo was “not pleased with the team’s decision to waive Damian Lillard.” A developing story there, for sure.
For now, though, we welcome Myles Turner to Milwaukee!