The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA on Tuesday, waiving Damian Lillard less than 24 hours after the start of free agency.
To clear cap space to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract, the Bucks made the surprising decision to waive Lillard, stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract over the next five years. The veteran point guard is now expected to weigh his options and will likely find a new home with a contending team this summer — though he could wait until next offseason.
Lillard faces a long road to recovery after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon in the Bucks’ first-round playoff loss to the Pacers. He’s expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign, but he could still look to sign with a new team this offseason.
MORE: Damian Lillard's feelings revealed after being waived by Bucks
Amid speculation about his future, the nine-time All-Star took to X with a confident message.
“If they call it a ‘gamble’ at this stage… tell em this the jackpot,” Lillard wrote.
If they call it a “gamble” at this stage… tell em this the jackpot. #ToBeContinued
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 4, 2025
Lillard is expected to latch on with a contender and could be ready to contribute in a playoff run. While the Bucks weren’t willing to gamble on the 34-year-old’s recovery, another team will certainly welcome the superstar.
Lillard spent the past two seasons in Milwaukee after a blockbuster trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in September 2023. Over those two seasons, he averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.1 steals per contest across 131 regular-season games.
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