Damian Lillard Responds to Rumor Giannis Was Informed About Myles Turner Contract

Many are still questioning what led to the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to waive star point guard Damian Lillard, and he had an interesting reaction to some new details.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo knew about the incoming contract for veteran center Myles Turner, which ultimately led to Lillard's release. Following the report, Lillard responded with a simple gif:

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Bucks signed Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal. In a corresponding move to make room for his salary, they waived Lillard and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract over the next five years. The decision shocked the basketball world, and NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Antetokounmpo was "not pleased" with the team letting Lillard go.

Shelburne shed some more light on how things played out for Milwaukee, saying that Antetokounmpo was excited to welcome Turner to the team after years of battling him while he was with the Indiana Pacers. However, it's not clear on whether the two-time MVP knew that bringing in Turner would be at Lillard's expense.

"They did inform Giannis Antetokounmpo that they were doing this," Shelburne said of Milwaukee's contract offer to Turner. "... Now, did they tell him they were waiving Damian Lillard in order to facilitate this? I don't know the answer to that. But he did know about Myles Turner, and I think he was excited about Myles Turner."

Lillard is expected to miss the majority of the 2025-26 season while he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered in the first round of the playoffs. Still, waiving him just two years after he was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers is not how anyone saw his tenure with the Bucks coming to an end.

The 34-year-old will likely be looking to land with a team that can contend for a title, and he will certainly be motivated to prove his worth once he's able to return to the court next year.