{"id":148311,"date":"2025-07-01T14:24:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=148311"},"modified":"2025-07-01T14:24:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:24:56","slug":"giannis-antetokounmpo-reaction-and-future-after-bucks-waive-lillard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/01\/giannis-antetokounmpo-reaction-and-future-after-bucks-waive-lillard\/","title":{"rendered":"Giannis’ Reaction And Future After Bucks Waive Damian Lillard"},"content":{"rendered":"

MILWAUKEE<\/strong> \u2013 The Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> stunned the league by choosing to waive and stretch Damian Lillard\u2019s<\/a> contract on Tuesday morning. The decision, which clears room to sign Myles Turner<\/a> to a four-year, $107 million deal, has sparked strong emotions inside the Bucks\u2019 locker room. Chris Haynes reported<\/a> that Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> felt blindsided by the move. \u201c<\/em>He just didn\u2019t like the way it was handled,\u201d<\/em> Haynes wrote, capturing the tension that erupted when news of the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard breakup spread.<\/p>\n

Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s Reaction And Future After Bucks Waive Damian Lillard<\/h2>\n

The Backstory Of A Costly Partnership<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But injuries changed everything. Lillard\u2019s Achilles surgery in May ended his run and forced the Bucks\u2019 front office to make an agonizing choice. They will now pay Lillard\u2019s $113 million salary over five years using the league\u2019s stretch provision.<\/p>\n

By acting before August 29, the Bucks protect their future picks while absorbing a stretched cap hit of $22.5 million per year \u2014 within the 15% limit of the league\u2019s salary cap.<\/p>\n

Why Giannis Stayed Involved<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Breaking
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s new-look roster. \u201cGiannis, I believe, is looking for reasons to stay in Milwaukee,\u201d Brian Windhorst said on First Take<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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"This is mortgaging your mortgage to buy a sports car."@WindhorstESPN<\/a> weighs in on the Bucks waiving Damian Lillard to acquire Myles Turner \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/2hMjzCJUag<\/a><\/p>\n

— First Take (@FirstTake) July 1, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n