Tuesday morning brought a bombshell of a story involving the Milwaukee Bucks, and then another from them that soon followed. The team was signing center Myles Turner to a four-year deal worth $107 million. How did they find the necessary room to make that transaction? Milwaukee waived point guard Damian Lillard, and will stretch the $113 million remaining on his deal over the next five years. While these moves will be the talk of Milwaukee fans/NBA fans in general, the Bucks continued making transactions after the two shocking moves. Soon after, they signed a free agent, re-signed one of their own free agents, and traded away a remnant from their 2021 championship team.
Bucks Make Series Of Moves After Shocking Turner/Lillard News
Gary Harris Signs For Two Years
Let’s start with the free agent signing from outside the organization. The Bucks are bringing in guard Gary Harris on a two-year deal, with the second being a player option. Turning 31 years old on September 14, he spent each of the last four seasons with the Orlando Magic. Next season with Milwaukee will be his 12th in the NBA.
Free agent forward Gary Harris has agreed to a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, with a player option on the second season, sources tell ESPN. Bucks continue to fortify the roster with a veteran wing who played key rotation roles for playoff teams in Denver and Orlando. pic.twitter.com/q5OLpDfEqo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
After averaging 25.3 minutes in his first three full years with Orlando, Harris saw his playing time decrease to 14.8 minutes per contest. It was the lowest since his rookie season, and he finished with a career-low scoring average of 3.0 points. The 6-foot-4 guard connected on 35.6% of his three-point shots, now far off his career rate of 36.9%.
Milwaukee Brings Back Jericho Sims
In early February, the Bucks acquired center Jericho Sims from the New York Knicks in a four-team deal. While the 26-year-old possesses immense leaping ability, he is a low-usage player on the offensive end who mostly gets his limited opportunities via lobs or putbacks. He did receive more playing time than expected after joining Milwaukee though due to the 25-game suspension of Bobby Portis.
The Bucks saw enough to bring back Sims on a two-year contract. Just like with Harris, the second year will be a player option. In his 14 outings with Milwaukee, the 6-foot-10 center posted average of 2.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 15.0 minutes.
Free agent center Jericho Sims has agreed to a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, including a player option in the second season, sources tell ESPN. Milwaukee retains a lob threat big man in Sims, who played in a career high 53 games last season and all 5 playoff games. pic.twitter.com/l4BdgE8X5R
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Pat Connaughton Traded To Hornets
Now 32 years old, Pat Connaughton has spent the last seven seasons as a member of the Bucks. The 6-foot-5 guard/forward recently picked up his 2025-26 player option worth slightly more than $9.4 million. That salary won’t be on Milwaukee’s books anymore as they have traded the 2021 NBA champion to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Vasilije Micic and two future second round picks.
The Milwaukee Bucks are trading Pat Connaughton and two of their own second-round picks (2031, 2032) to the Charlotte Hornets for Vasilije Micic, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gLnvpeG2NX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
In his 41 outings last season, Connaughton played just 14.7 minutes per game and averaged 5.3 points. Both were his lowest since joining the Bucks. In the regular season finale when Milwaukee rested many of their key players, he dropped a career-high of 43 points in an overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Photo credit: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
