Sources – Bucks waive Damian Lillard, reach deal with Myles Turner
The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Bucks, plus a player option for Year 4 in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources told ESPN.
Lillard’s two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as the seven-time All-NBA guard rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon after undergoing surgery in early May.
The Bucks found a creative path to waive and stretch Lillard — whose salary will be stretched over the next five seasons — while leaving their future draft assets untouched. Lillard will receive all of his $113 million owed and be able to rehab his Achilles tendon in Portland surrounded by his family.
Turner, the longest-tenured Pacers player at 10 seasons with the franchise, made it known he wished to remain in Indiana. Since the Pacers’ Game 7 exit in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Turner’s reps pushed to get a deal done. Ultimately, Indiana’s aversion to the luxury tax, which grew after Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles injury, allowed the Bucks to acquire their new franchise center.
The 29-year-old Turner was a big part of the Pacers’ success as the 6-foot-11 big man can capably space the floor and defend the rim. This season, he shot a career-best 39.6% from 3-point range while averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and a team-best 2.0 blocks per game.
He had a team-record 46 blocks during the Pacers’ postseason run.
Turner is one of just three players in NBA history with 700 3-pointers and 1,400 blocks, along with Brook Lopez and Rasheed Wallace.
In a scarce market during the early days of free agency, Bucks general manager Jon Horst and CAA co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown partnered on executing a complex, massive deal to reshape Milwaukee and allow the franchise to retool aggressively around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks have agreed to re-sign Bobby Portis, while also bringing back sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr., forward Taurean Prince and guard Kevin Porter Jr. this offseason. Milwaukee lost Lopez, who signed with the LA Clippers.
In another move Tuesday, the Bucks agreed to a two-year deal with free agent forward Gary Harris, with a player option on the second season, sources told ESPN. The veteran wing played key rotation roles for playoff teams in Denver and Orlando, and he averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds for the Magic last season.
The Bucks had visions of attempting to acquire Turner, but had no pathway due to their salary restrictions, but Horst and Brown huddled on Monday and Tuesday to create an opening.
Turner and Antetokounmpo both valued the opportunity to partner on the court during the process, sources told ESPN.
With Antetokounmpo considering his future and whether his best fit was with the Bucks moving forward, Milwaukee executives once again make a major move.
In 2020, Horst acquired Jrue Holiday in a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2023, the Bucks in similar fashion acquired Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, Horst acquires Turner, showing the commitment to build a contender in the Eastern Conference with Antetokounmpo in his prime — while taking a key piece from a fellow East threat.
Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, emerged as one of the leaders in the locker room alongside Antetokounmpo, playing in 58 games in his second season in Milwaukee while earning his ninth All-Star Game selection. He was more efficient on the court, ranking 10th in the NBA in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) this season while shooting 45% (38% from 3).
He was helped off the court midway through the first quarter of the Bucks’ loss in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series with the Pacers.
Lillard joined the Bucks during the 2023 season as part of a blockbuster three-team deal with the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns.
Lillard spent 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, making seven All-Star appearances and seven All-NBA teams. He led Portland to the playoffs eight times, including a Western Conference finals appearance in 2018-19. He ranks first in team history in points and 3-pointers and second in assists.
ESPN Research contributed to this report.