Bucks’ stunning Damian Lillard decision is all about keeping Giannis happy, and it could backfire

Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed to be a wonderful twinning on paper. Lillard is the second largest shooting game of his generation, while Entertetokounmpo is the largest on -board scorer in the league. The Bucks expected to compete for the championships when they balanced a daring business to acquire Lillard two years ago, but the results could not have been worse.

Milwaukee was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in the first Lillard season after Giannis could not play with an injury. The bucks were eliminated in the first round this season while Lillard had torn Achilles. It certainly seemed that Milwaukee had no more movements to make with a capped wage bill, no good young players and very few future choice of recovery.

In one way or another, the Bucks have found a way to add an impact player in a free agency anyway, and the end result is the most surprising movement of the NBA off -season so far.

The Bucks signed the center of Indiana Pacers Myles Turner to a $ 107 million contract over four years on Tuesday. To do so, they “stretched and renounced” Lillard – which means that they cut him and spread the $ 113 million he owed in place of his contract for the next two years over five years. Essentially, the Bucks take a ceiling of $ 22.5 million for the next five years to release Lady and open the space to sign Turner.

It is a breathtaking transaction that shows real creativity of the Milwaukee front office. Let’s make quick fire points explaining everything involved in this agreement.

Bucks had to be desperate to keep Giannis

The entire NBA has been waiting for the trade request from Antetokounmpo since Lillard has torn his Achilles. This has not yet happened, and now the Bucks may have just satisfied their superstar by adding another good Turner player to the starting training. The ball was still in Giannis de Giannis, and now there is a chance that he could present himself to competition in a conference in the Eastern Eastern this year. Of course, the Hawks of Orlando Magic and Atlanta suddenly resemble contenders, and the Cleveland horsemen and the New York Knicks will remain great, but Giannis is still the best player in the conference and nobody else is close.

The bucks have always toured Giannis to keep him happy. They did it first with the JRUE holiday profession, which led to a championship. They did it again with the Lillard trade, and it was a huge bust. This is another daring decision that will cost years for the years to come, but if it keeps Giannis in town, it is worth it.

Myles Turner is an excellent scheme adapted to dollars

The Bucks have lost the longtime center Brook Lopez against the Clippers in the free agency on Monday. Replacing it with a younger player with a set of similar skills in Turner is an inspired movement. Turner allows the Bucks to have a rim protector next to Giannis while maintaining a spacing of five outputs in attack. Turner made 39.6% of his three last season, and although he seems to be refused a little sporty, he is still a decent fire blocker.

Why did the Pacers let Myles Turner walk? Money.

The Pacers never want to pay the luxury tax, and they certainly did not want to do it in a year when Tyrese Haliburton was recovering from his own torn Achilles. Indiana let Turner walk because of the money. It is probably a wise long-term decision, but it stinks to see a team of finals decimate so quickly like this.

The bucks cap to cut Lillard is unprecedented

The salary of $ 22.5 million in Lillard will occupy more than 14% of the Bucks ceiling space this season. This number drops as the ceiling increases, but it is always a massive number on pay for five years (!) Just to cut it. These are unprecedented things in the history of the NBA.

The Bucks did well by Lillard

Lillard did not like Milwaukee by all accounts. Although it is cut as it is annoying for a player from Lillard’s stature, the Bucks had to exchange it or give it up to have a chance to add more talent around Giannis for next season. Now Lillard can choose his next team after its rehabilitation. This should be considered a win-win for Bucks and Lillard.

Is Giannis really turned upside down at the idea of ​​cutting lady?

Chris Haynes is Lillard’s right man. He reported that Giannis was not happy to cut Lillard.

Here are a little more context of Haynes. This one does not give me the test of the smell. Lillard cannot play in the 2025-26 season. The Bucks had to add more talent to the team if they wanted to keep Giannis. I don’t know, guy.

Bucks still need a little more

Milwaukee signed Gary Harris and Myles Turner, and re-signed Gary Trent Jr., Bobby Portis and Kevin Porter Jr. This off-season. They lost Lopez and Lillard, who were not going to play anyway. Are Bucks still a competitor of the Eastern Conference? I don’t really think. They must shoot another rabbit from their hat and hope that Giannis will be able to create another eliminatory series race. If nothing else, the Bucks descend are swinging and showing an incredible dedication to Giannis. You must respect it.

This makes the rivalry of the Bucks-Pacers even better

Bucks and Pacers have a real rivalry. There has been beef between these teams for years, and that will only make rivalry even more spicy.

Pacers can step back next season while Haliburton recovers from the injury, but they should soon be back in business with more flexibility with Turner out of books. We can’t wait to see how this rivalry is developing from here.