Damian Lillard Reportedly Waived by Bucks Amid Injury, Myles Turner Contract in NBA FA

Damian Lillard has reportedly been waived by the Milwaukee Bucks amid his recovery from a surgically repaired Achilles tendon.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported the news on Tuesday, noting the Bucks were stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract to acquire Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million contract in free agency.

Despite the abrupt end to his tenure in Milwaukee, Andscape's Marc J. Spears said the situation is a "win-win" for Lillard and that the star was considering not exercising his player option for next offseason.

In the wake of the move, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is "not pleased" with the decision to waive Lillard.

Lillard underwent surgery on May 2 after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Bucks' first-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Lillard had been playing in his third game back from the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right calf that sidelined him for the final month of the regular season.

The diagnosis was similar to the right shoulder issue that sidelined San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in February.

Prior to his health issues, Lillard recorded a second straight All-Star campaign for the Bucks and neared his career averages by putting up 24.9 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from deep in 58 games.

The Bucks moving on from Lillard is an indication that they doubted his ability to return to full health as they try to build around Antetokounmpo.

Lillard, who will turn 35 in July, is heading into his 14th NBA season. He spent the first 11 years of his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers before he was traded to the Bucks in September 2023.

The Bucks haven't been back to the NBA Finals since Antetokounmpo led them to a title in 2021. They're hoping that building around a core of Antetokounmpo and now Turner will help them change that in the near future.

Milwaukee will now try to convince Antetokounmpo, who currently holds a player option for the 2027-28 season and is set to hit free agency in 2028, to sign a new deal with the franchise. Antetokounmpo previously signed extensions with the Bucks in 2016, 2020 and 2023.

As for Lillard, given the severity of his injury and the likelihood of missing most if not all of next season, it remains to be seen what his market will look like in free agency.