Milwaukee’s bold 2025 free agency shakeup sees Myles Turner join on a $107 M deal while the Bucks waive Damian Lillard to bolster roster cap flexibility.

In a significant turn of events during the 2025 NBA free agency on Tuesday morning, the Milwaukee Bucks executed two major roster changes. Myles Turner has left the Indiana Pacers to become part of the Bucks, while the team has opted to release nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard to accommodate this move.

Turner was a top target in this summer's free agency, and after the Pacers' run to the NBA Finals, many believed he would re-sign with them. However, Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury changed the Pacers' plans for the upcoming season, giving the Bucks an opportunity to make a surprising move. Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million contract with Milwaukee, leaving the Pacers for their division rivals, as reported by ESPN.

To clear space for Turner, the Bucks have decided to waive and stretch Lillard's contract after the guard suffered an Achilles tear during the playoffs, according to ESPN. Lillard, who joined Milwaukee in 2023, will presumably miss the entire upcoming season. The Bucks owe him $113 million, initially planned to be paid over two years, but now spread over five years to accommodate their salary cap.

Myles Turner’s Arrival: Transforming Milwaukee’s Frontcourt 

ESPN noted that the Pacers were not prepared to go into the luxury tax due to Haliburton's injury, allowing the Bucks to step in and recruit Turner as Brook Lopez's replacement, who signed with the Clippers the previous night.

Turner appears to be an excellent match for Milwaukee, effectively taking over Lopez's position after the Bucks re-signed key players like Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and Bobby Portis, with Lopez being the primary departure. Turner's addition as a rim protector and a versatile inside-out player aligns well with the Bucks' style alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo had been involved in trade rumors since the Bucks' season concluded two months prior, although reports suggested he would remain with the team, even with Lillard injured. Giannis shared a meme on social media moments before the news broke, expressing his uncertainty over the situation.

Turner contributed an average of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game last season for the Pacers with shooting percentages of 48.1/39.6/77.3. He was crucial to their fast-paced offense that led to a Finals appearance. Milwaukee intends to adopt a similar high-tempo offensive strategy led by Antetokounmpo, with Turner fitting seamlessly into the gap left by Lopez, extending Milwaukee’s championship window during Giannis' prime years.

Waiving Damian Lillard: Strategic Salary‑Cap Maneuver 

The Bucks made the difficult choice regarding Lillard, who still had two years remaining on his maximum contract but was going to miss the whole season. By waiving and stretching Lillard’s contract (amounting to just over $22.5 million annually), the Bucks made room to sign Turner in a bold move by GM Jon Horst to enhance the roster's competitiveness.

Next, the Bucks will focus on finding a future point guard, showing a continued willingness to make bold moves to give Antetokounmpo the best opportunities to compete for a title in Milwaukee. Previous deals, like acquiring Jrue Holiday, were successful in winning a championship, though the same cannot be said for Lillard's tenure, which faced setbacks due to injuries.

Next Steps: Identifying Milwaukee’s Future Point Guard 

The combination of Lillard and Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee didn’t realize its potential due to injuries that hindered their postseason success in their two-year partnership. Despite theoretical synergy, their compatibility didn’t manifest effectively during regular-season games, prompting the Bucks to part ways with Lillard, who approaches 35 years of age, allowing him to explore the last phase of his career elsewhere.

The Miami Heat could emerge as a potential destination for Lillard, as they were his preferred choice when he requested a trade from Portland two years prior. Miami has been actively seeking another star this summer, shown by their pursuit of Kevin Durant and interest in a sign-and-trade involving Jonathan Kuminga. Now they might pursue Lillard, benefitting from his reduced salary number due to his ongoing payments from the Bucks over the next five years.