One of the most intriguing pairings in recent NBA history has come to an end.
The Milwaukee Bucks have waived guard Damian Lillard and stretched out the remaining $113 million left on his contract in order to acquire centre Myles Turner in free agency, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
According to Charania, the remaining money left on Lillard's deal will be stretched over the next five seasons, creating cap space and alleviating the guard's cap hit without having to trade him.
The Bucks will now carry a dead-cap hit of $22.5 million for each of the next five seasons through the 2029-30 campaign.
Lillard was set to be a lost asset next season after he suffered a torn Achilles in the first round of the playoffs this past season. He was unlikely to suit up for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign.
Over his two seasons in Milwaukee, the nine-time All-Star averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and seven assists while shooting 43.4 per cent from the field and 36.4 per cent from three-point range.
The Bucks acquired Lillard in a blockbuster three-team deal in 2023 that sent Jrue Holiday and three first-round picks to the Portland Trail Blazers, hoping to pair him with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks pushed for another championship.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported following the move that Giannis Antetokounmpo was "not pleased with the team's decision" to waive Lillard.
Rumblings around a potential Antetokounmpo trade have been a topic of interest this off-season, as the Greek superstar has expressed his interest in being in a winning environment and competing for titles.
The Bucks have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs the last three seasons.
2:32
