### Milwaukee Bucks Shake Up Roster: Myles Turner Joins, Damian Lillard Waived The Milwaukee Bucks have made a significant roster change by waiving All-Star guard Damian Lillard and signing center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract. This unexpected move has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, as Lillard was a key player for the Bucks since his acquisition two years ago. The decision to part ways with Lillard, who is currently recovering from an Achilles injury, was made to create cap space for Turner, who recently played in the NBA Finals with the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks are now under pressure to further enhance their roster around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who reportedly is not pleased with the team's decision to let Lillard go [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/02/myles-turner-bucks-lillard-waived-free-agency, https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-giannis-antetokounmpo-happy-bucks-damian-lillard-decision-report]. ### Breakdown of the Bucks' Recent Moves 1. **Waiving Damian Lillard**: - The Bucks waived Lillard to stretch his remaining $113 million contract over five years, allowing them to free up salary cap space [https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-damian-lillard-waived-bucks-massive-shocking-move-113m-contract-gets-stretched-5-years]. - Lillard's exit is particularly surprising given his status as a nine-time All-Star and a key player for the team [https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-damian-lillard-shifts-outlook-better-things-life-shock-milwaukee-exit]. 2. **Signing Myles Turner**: - Turner has agreed to a four-year deal worth $107 million, marking a significant addition to the Bucks' roster [https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2025-07-01/turner-agrees-to-join-bucks-who-will-waive-lillard-ap-source-says-in-a-free-agency-surprise]. - His presence is expected to bolster the Bucks' frontcourt and provide a strong defensive anchor alongside Antetokounmpo [https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-they-wanted-myles-turner-bad-ex-bucks-star-left-disbelief-damian-lillard-s-shocking-waiver-new-big-man]. 3. **Giannis Antetokounmpo's Reaction**: - Reports indicate that Antetokounmpo is unhappy with the decision to waive Lillard, raising concerns about his future with the team [https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/basketball/articles-video/giannis-antetokounmpo-not-pleased-after-bucks-waive-damian-lillard-to-sign-myles-turner-2025-07-02]. - The Bucks must now focus on additional moves to ensure they retain Antetokounmpo's commitment to the franchise [https://fansided.com/nba/3-more-pieces-the-bucks-need-next-after-myles-turner-signing]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Contract Details**: - Lillard's contract was stretched over five years, allowing the Bucks to manage their salary cap more effectively [https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-damian-lillard-waived-bucks-massive-shocking-move-113m-contract-gets-stretched-5-years]. - Turner's contract is valued at $107 million over four years, indicating a significant investment in his talent [https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2025-07-01/turner-agrees-to-join-bucks-who-will-waive-lillard-ap-source-says-in-a-free-agency-surprise]. - **Impact on Team Dynamics**: - The Bucks' decision to waive Lillard has been described as "reckless" by some analysts, suggesting that it may not be a long-term solution for team success [https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-milwaukee-slammed-reckless-damian-lillard-strategy-myles-turner]. - The move has created uncertainty around Antetokounmpo's future with the team, as he weighs the implications of these changes [https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/nba/milwaukee-bucks/news/giannis-antetokounmpo-not-happy-damian-lillard-decision/736712e67e423666110a3dfe]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for the Bucks In summary, the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to waive Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner marks a pivotal moment in the franchise's trajectory. 1. **Roster Changes**: The Bucks have made bold moves to reshape their roster, but the implications of these decisions are still unfolding. 2. **Giannis' Discontent**: Antetokounmpo's reported dissatisfaction with the Lillard waiver raises questions about the team's future direction and his commitment. 3. **Future Moves Needed**: The Bucks must continue to enhance their roster to ensure they remain competitive and keep their star player happy. The coming weeks will be crucial for the Bucks as they navigate these changes and seek to build a championship-caliber team around Giannis Antetokounmpo [https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/the-next-move-milwaukee-bucks-must-make-after-myles-turner-damian-lillard-whoppers].