Grading the Bucks’ Bold Decision: Myles Turner Signing and Damian Lillard Waiver

The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA world with a bold and unexpected offseason decision: signing Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner and waiving All-Star guard Damian Lillard. The move has already sparked countless reactions across social media, fan forums, and expert panels.

Was this a strategic masterstroke or a high-risk misstep? Let’s dive deep and grade the Bucks’ decision to sign Myles Turner and waive Damian Lillard, evaluating the basketball logic, financial implications, and long-term consequences.

Why This Decision Is So Surprising

It’s not every day that a franchise waives a future Hall of Fame point guard just a year after making a blockbuster trade to acquire him. The Bucks traded for Lillard in September 2023, sending Jrue Holiday, draft picks, and more to the Portland Trail Blazers in a move meant to elevate Milwaukee back into serious championship contention.

Now, less than a year later, that experiment is over.

Waiving Damian Lillard, who is still a productive scorer and high-profile face of the league, feels like a massive pivot — especially for a team built around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In his place, Milwaukee is bringing in Myles Turner, a player with a very different skill set. So what gives?

Understanding the Bucks’ Thought Process

To grade this decision fairly, we have to understand what might have motivated the Bucks to take such an unconventional step:

1. Defensive Upgrade

Myles Turner is one of the league’s best rim protectors. Over the last few seasons with the Indiana Pacers, he has consistently ranked among the top shot blockers in the NBA. The Bucks, despite having Brook Lopez as a defensive anchor, struggled with perimeter defense and protecting the paint when Lopez wasn’t on the floor.

With Lopez aging and Giannis often forced to cover too many roles, adding Turner gives Milwaukee a fresh and athletic big who can defend, rebound, and even stretch the floor on offense.

2. Younger, Healthier Core

Turner is 28 — entering the prime of his career. Damian Lillard, on the other hand, is 34 and dealing with nagging injuries. The Bucks may be looking to create a more sustainable long-term roster around Giannis, who is also nearing 30 and needs help that can last the next 4–5 years.

3. Salary Cap and Flexibility

Damian Lillard’s contract is massive. He was owed around $45 million in the 2024–25 season and even more in the years ahead. Waiving him creates a financial reset (assuming they stretch his contract or negotiated a buyout). Signing Turner on a more team-friendly deal allows the Bucks to reallocate money elsewhere and potentially bring in other rotation players.

Player Comparison: Turner vs. Lillard

Let’s break down how Myles Turner stacks up against Damian Lillard and why this is not an apples-to-apples comparison — and that’s exactly the point.

Clearly, Lillard is the bigger offensive name, but Turner’s skill set may be more aligned with Milwaukee’s evolving team identity.

Basketball Fit: How Turner Enhances the Bucks

One of the biggest criticisms of the Bucks during the 2023–24 season was their inconsistent defense, especially during clutch moments. While Lillard hit some game-winners and put up big scoring nights, his defense was often targeted in the playoffs.

Myles Turner adds:

• Elite Rim Protection: Something they lacked when Lopez sat.
• Pick-and-Roll Flexibility: Giannis can now play the 4 more comfortably.
• Three-Point Range: Turner shot 35% from beyond the arc last season, helping keep the floor spaced.

Pairing Turner and Giannis could create one of the most terrifying frontcourts in the NBA — full of length, speed, and athleticism.

Financial Breakdown: Cap Room and Roster Flexibility

Let’s talk money.

Damian Lillard’s contract runs through 2027 and is worth over $200 million. That type of commitment can handcuff a franchise — especially one that needs to surround a superstar like Giannis with reliable depth.

If the Bucks chose to waive Lillard using the stretch provision or negotiated a buyout, they’ve likely freed up significant cap space. Signing Myles Turner — who’s earning around $20 million a year — gives them room to sign another quality starter or two role players.

Flexibility is the name of the game in modern NBA team-building, and this move might give Milwaukee just that.

Risks Involved: What the Bucks Are Losing

While there are reasons to be optimistic, this is still a high-risk decision. Here’s what Milwaukee could regret:

• No Proven Playmaker: Lillard created his own shot and opened up the floor for others. Without him, there’s a playmaking void.
• Star Power Drop-Off: Lillard brought name value and media attention — losing him might reduce the team’s marketing value.
• Giannis’ Reaction: Antetokounmpo has always prioritized winning. Will this move frustrate or motivate him?
• Fan Backlash: Milwaukee fans embraced Lillard quickly. His sudden exit may lead to discontent if the team underperforms.

Final Grades: Evaluating the Decision

Let’s assign some grades based on different factors:

Basketball Fit: A-

Turner fits nicely next to Giannis and fills a defensive gap the team struggled with last season.

Financial Flexibility: A

Moving off Lillard’s bloated contract and getting a younger, cheaper talent? That’s smart business.

Long-Term Planning: B+

Turner is a piece you can build with. This could lay the foundation for a new era post-Lopez.

Star Power & Offense: C

This is where the Bucks may suffer. Lillard’s offensive firepower will be missed, especially in the playoffs.

Fan/Locker Room Reaction: C+

This kind of move can create locker-room tension if not managed carefully.

What Analysts and Fans Are Saying

ESPN’s Zach Lowe called the move “surprising but logical given Milwaukee’s roster age and cap situation.”

Charles Barkley joked, “Y’all better hope Giannis doesn’t ask out next!”

On Reddit, Bucks fans are split down the middle, with some praising the foresight and others mourning Lillard’s departure.

Clearly, this decision has sparked debate, and only time will tell if it pays off.

What’s Next for the Bucks?

With Turner now in the mix and Lillard gone, what does the 2025–26 Bucks lineup look like?

Projected Starting Five:

1. PG – Jrue Holiday (or potential trade target)
2. SG – Khris Middleton
3. SF – Pat Connaughton
4. PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. C – Myles Turner

There’s still work to be done. Milwaukee may need a new lead guard unless they trade for one or trust a young player. But the defensive core looks stronger than ever — and that might be the strategy to return to championship form.

Final Verdict

The Bucks’ decision to sign Myles Turner and waive Damian Lillard is one of the boldest moves of the offseason. It shows a clear shift toward defensive balance, financial control, and long-term planning — even if it comes at the cost of short-term stardom.

Will it work? That depends on how the rest of the roster develops and whether Giannis and Turner can form a dominant frontcourt duo.

For now, we give the move an overall grade of B+ — bold, strategic, and possibly brilliant… or possibly a disaster waiting to happen.

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