Bucks decision has put Giannis Antetokounmpo at risk

The NBA free agency shuffle continues, and so far there have been a few surprises – none bigger than Damian Lillard’s unexpected exit from the Milwaukee Bucks, after tearing his Achilles tendon during the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.

Lillard’s departure did not go down well

The Bucks have chosen to move forward with free agent center Myles Turner, formerly of the Pacers, signing him to a four-year, $107 million deal. Lillard, meanwhile, still had $113 million remaining on his contract.

The news did not sit well with teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who saw Lillard as a central piece of the franchise’s immediate future. Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds across 58 games in the 2024–25 season.

Milwaukee finished fifth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season but fell flat in the playoffs, suffering a swift 4–1 first-round defeat to the Pacers. Antetokounmpo averaged 33 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in the series – dominant numbers that ultimately went unrewarded.

Milwaukee must rebuild fast – and convince Giannis to stay

Although the Greek superstar hasn’t publicly asked to leave and no final decision has been made, for the first time in his career, Antetokounmpo recently admitted he’d be open to hearing offers from other teams in pursuit of another NBA title.

He has three years left on his current deal, including a $62.7 million player option for the 2027–28 season. Giannis led the Bucks to their second-ever championship in 2021, but the team has struggled since – winning just one playoff series and suffering three straight first-round exits.

Adding to the challenge, Milwaukee has no control over its first-round NBA Draft picks until 2031, making it difficult to build through the college talent pool.

Bucks bet on continuity – with a few notable exits

The front office has opted to retain much of the roster, including Bobby Portis, who re-signed on a team-friendly three-year, $44 million deal. Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims are also staying put.

Veteran center Brook Lopez is heading to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Bucks hope Myles Turner – at least on paper – will offer an upgrade with immediate impact.

They also traded Pat Connaughton and two second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Vasilije Micić, a move driven partly by cap savings: Connaughton was set to make $9.4 million, while Micić is on a $7.7 million deal.

The dice have been rolled in Milwaukee, and fans are now watching closely to see what other reinforcements might arrive ahead of the new season.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment.Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.