What Damian Lillard release means for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks trade rumors and more

The Bucks entered the 2025 offseason with mounting pressure to build around superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the franchise wasted no time making a series of splashy moves that caught the sports world's attention.

Less than 24 hours into free agency, Milwaukee struck an unexpected four-year, $107 million deal with free-agent center Myles Turner. Much more unexpected than that, however, was the corresponding move to waive nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard and stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years.

Lillard was brought to Milwaukee to form an All-Star pairing with Antetokounmpo, but injuries prevented the duo from achieving much significant success. With Lillard rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered during Game 4 of this year's playoffs, he is not expected back on the court until the 2026-27 season.

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Over two seasons, Lillard and Antetokounmpo shared the court for a total of three playoff games, and the pairing peaked with an NBA Cup title in 2024. Now, the Bucks move on, but the pressure to build another title contender around Antetokounmpo has not gotten any lighter.

Here is what the decision to waive Lillard means for the two-time MVP and the franchise's chances to contend moving forward.

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What Damian Lillard release means for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The decision to waive Lillard is a complicated one. Milwaukee motioned to acquire him in the 2023 offseason after offensive woes led to a disappointing first-round exit as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.

With Lillard likely set to miss the entirety of the upcoming season, he left a void in the lineup that led many to believe 2025-26 would be a lost year of Antetokounmpo's prime. The moves to waive Lillard and acquire Turner slightly change the tone around this Bucks team, but Antetokounmpo's reaction is important.

Antetokounmpo is "not pleased with the team's decision to waive Damian Lillard," according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, who is connected with both Antetokounmpo and Lillard. 

MORE: Why Bucks waiving Damian Lillard is short-sighted

Haynes' report suggests that Antetokounmpo was not consulted about the decision, and the displeasure could open the door for more speculation about his future with the Bucks. That said, the report is on-brand for Antetokounmpo, who is said to have "played no role" in the team's decision to move on from Jrue Holiday in 2023.

While Antetokounmpo may be displeased, the Bucks' history of trades during his career suggests he understands the nature of sacrifice for roster improvement. His standing as the greatest player in franchise history suggests that very few moves are made without consulting him, if any.

Additionally, Charania reported, "Turner and Antetokounmpo both valued the opportunity to partner on the court during the process" of free agency discussions.

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo get traded?

There is nothing that suggests a trade involving Antetokounmpo is imminent. He has reportedly been closely eyeing Milwaukee's offseason moves with hopes that the roster around him would improve.

So far, the Bucks have been one of the league's busiest teams.

While Milwaukee lost center Brook Lopez to the Clippers, it effectively found a younger replacement in Turner. The Bucks have also re-signed key pieces in Bobby Portis Jr., Kevin Porter Jr, Jericho Sims, and Gary Trent Jr., also agreeing to terms with free-agent guard Gary Harris.

The Bucks made another salary-shedding move by trading Pat Connaughton to the Hornets and are believed to remain active in the market for more roster upgrades. These moves are clearly being made to build around Antetokounmpo, and not to move on from him.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo contract

Antetokounmpo is entering the first year of a three-year contract extension signed with the Bucks. He is set to earn $54.1 million in 2025-26, and the third year of his deal is a player option.