Damian Lillard isn’t too bothered by his Bucks release.
The Athletic disclosed on Tuesday that the superstar point guard is “overjoyed” that Milwaukee released him, granting him the freedom to select a competitive team of his choice while still retaining his earnings.
The 34-year-old Lillard, who is sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon, had two years and roughly $122.6 million left on his deal.
Aaron Goodwin, Lillard’s agent, released a statement, via The Oregonian, echoing the same sentiment.
“This is a fantastic chance for Damian,” Goodwin stated. “All his financial guarantees remain intact, and he gains the opportunity to decide his future as an unrestricted free agent. He can choose to recuperate at home and be with his family and children over the coming year. The plan is for him to take his time in choosing his next team.”
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The Bucks stretched Lillard’s deal over the next five seasons, paying him $22.5 million each year.
Lillard can now sign for a minimum-salary deal and still get his money from the Bucks.
The nine-time All-Star “received calls from several contending teams very quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke,” per The Athletic.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not happy about the franchise letting his running mate go.
“He just didn’t like how it was handled,” Haynes said during a Tuesday appearance on NBA TV.
The Bucks used the Lillard money to sign Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal.
Lillard is expected to sit out most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season due to the Achilles injury he sustained during the Bucks’ first-round playoff defeat to the Pacers.
The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Trail Blazers in a blockbuster, three-team trade with the Suns in September 2023, dealing Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, a 2029 first-rounder and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to Portland.
In two seasons, the Antetokounmpo and Lillard duo battled injuries and underwhelmed in the postseason, falling to the Pacers in the first round during both runs.
