Report: Damian Lillard was ‘elated’ that Bucks waived him

Report: Damian Lillard was ‘elated’ that Bucks waived him

The Milwaukee Bucks made one of the biggest splashes in free agency by poaching center Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers. However, it came at the expense of Damian Lillard, who ruptured his left Achilles in Game 4 of their first-round series against Indiana.

Lillard, who turns 35-years-old later this month, was slated to be owed $113 million over the next two seasons. Though since the Bucks waived-and-stretched him, he will be on the hook for $22.5 million over the next four years, in addition to allowing him to play with any team he chooses at an inexpensive price tag while still receiving his aforementioned $113 million.

It was an incredibly bold move from Milwaukee, hoping to keep a “contending” window open around Giannis Antetokounmpo as long as it can, as their candle’s wax continues to melt. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Lillard was thrilled with the decision, despite being without a job (for now).

“League sources say Lillard is elated with this decision, as it puts him in the kind of basketball-first position that few All-Star-level players, if any, have experienced in league history,” Amick’s report read. “In short, he’ll be able to join the contending team of his choosing, either sometime soon or perhaps next summer, without the financial aspect of the decision playing a significant part.

“With Lillard owed $54.1 million for this season and $58.4 million in the 2026-27 campaign, there is a salary offset for any team that acquires him during that two-year period. And while the Bucks would surely prefer Lillard sign for a significant salary as a way to alleviate some of their financial burden, the reality is he could sign for a minimum-salary deal and still be paid the same amount. That’s a powerful place to be when you’re a future Hall of Famer in your mid-30s who has never won a championship.

“Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams very quickly after the news of his Bucks ending broke. The question is does he want to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under its care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation.”

From Lillard’s perspective, I would be happy too because the Bucks likely weren’t competing even with Antetokounmpo. Several other teams around the league are fit for contention for the next 2-3 seasons; as good as Antetokounmpo is, Milwaukee isn’t one of them.

Sean Marks explains rationale behind Nets’ bold 2025 NBA Draft strategy

Unfortunately, he will spend most of next season rehabbing on the sidelines with whatever team he picks. Any player coming off an Achilles injury loses juice athletically, let alone for smaller guards who will be 36 by the start of 2026-27. Lillard’s still an excellent shot-maker, but his best days will be (and already are) behind him. Yet, that doesn’t mean a contender won’t be frothing at the mouth to sign him for cheap (vet minimum?) if they can withstand it.

Where do you want to see him go? Let us know in the comments!

***

Click Here for more NBA Content

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Check out Vendetta Fantasy Contests