The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract to be able to purchase free agent heart Myles Turner, sources advised ESPN on Tuesday.
Turner has agreed with the Bucks on a four-year, $107 million deal that features a participant possibility for Yr 4 in 2028-29 and a full 15% commerce kicker, sources advised ESPN.
Lillard’s two seasons in Milwaukee come to an finish because the seven-time All-NBA guard rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon after undergoing surgery in early May.
Lillard welcomed the discharge Tuesday and now will obtain the entire $113 million owed, will have the ability to rehab in Portland surrounded by his household, and might select his subsequent vacation spot on his personal time.
By waiving Lillard previous to Aug. 29, the Bucks can use the “stretch provision” within the CBA whereas leaving their future draft belongings untouched. For wage cap functions, the Bucks can stretch his remaining two years to 5 — that means they are going to pay $22.5 million per yr. The stretched wage cannot exceed 15% of the wage cap, which is at the moment $23.197 million.
Turner, the longest-tenured Pacers participant at 10 seasons with the franchise, made it recognized he wished to stay in Indiana. Because the Pacers’ Recreation 7 exit within the NBA Finals towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, Turner’s reps pushed to get a deal finished. Finally, Indiana’s aversion to the posh tax, which grew after star guard Tyrese Haliburton‘s torn Achilles harm within the Finals, allowed the Bucks to amass their new heart.
Turner, 29, was a giant a part of the Pacers’ success because the 6-foot-11 huge man can capably house the ground and defend the rim. This season, he shot a career-best 39.6% from 3-point vary whereas averaging 15.6 factors, 6.5 rebounds and a team-best 2.0 blocks per sport.
He had a team-record 46 blocks through the Pacers’ postseason run.
Turner is one in all simply three gamers in NBA historical past with 700 3-pointers and 1,400 blocks, together with Brook Lopez and Rasheed Wallace.
In a scarce market through the early days of free company, Bucks basic supervisor Jon Horst and CAA co-head of basketball Austin Brown partnered on executing a posh, huge deal to reshape Milwaukee and permit the franchise to retool aggressively round Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee traded guard Pat Connaughton and two of its second-round picks (2031, 2032) to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday for guard Vasilije Micic, sources advised ESPN. Connaughton averaged 5.3 factors and a pair of.7 rebounds final season, whereas Micic posted 6.6 factors, 2.2 rebounds and three.1 rebounds per sport for the Hornets.
The Bucks on Tuesday additionally reached a two-year deal to retain free agent Jericho Sims, sources advised ESPN. The deal features a participant possibility within the second season. Sims, a lob-threat huge man, performed in a career-high 53 video games final season and in all 5 playoff video games.
The Bucks even have agreed to re-sign Bobby Portis and introduced again sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr., ahead Taurean Prince and guard Kevin Porter Jr. this offseason. Milwaukee misplaced Lopez, who signed with the LA Clippers.
In one other transfer Tuesday, the Bucks agreed to a two-year take care of free agent ahead Gary Harris, with a participant possibility on the second season, sources advised ESPN. The veteran wing performed key rotation roles for playoff groups in Denver and Orlando, and he averaged 3.0 factors and 1.3 rebounds for the Magic final season.
The Bucks had been desirous about Turner however had no pathway to signal him due to their wage restrictions, however Horst and Brown huddled Monday and Tuesday to create a gap.
Turner and Antetokounmpo valued the chance to companion on the court docket through the course of, sources advised ESPN.
It is one other huge transfer by Milwaukee’s entrance workplace, as Antetokounmpo considers his future and whether or not his greatest match is with the Bucks.
In 2020, Horst acquired Jrue Holiday in a blockbuster commerce with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2023, the Bucks in comparable vogue acquired Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers as a part of a three-team deal. Now, Horst acquires Turner, displaying the dedication to construct a contender within the Japanese Convention with Antetokounmpo in his prime — whereas taking a key participant from a fellow East risk.
Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, emerged as one of many leaders within the locker room alongside Antetokounmpo, enjoying in 58 video games in his second season in Milwaukee whereas incomes his ninth All-Star Recreation choice. He was extra environment friendly this previous season, rating tenth within the NBA in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) whereas capturing 45% (38% from 3).
He was helped off the court docket halfway by means of the primary quarter of the Bucks’ loss in Recreation 4 of their first-round playoff sequence with the Pacers.
Lillard spent 11 seasons with the Path Blazers, making seven All-Star appearances and 7 All-NBA groups. He led Portland to the playoffs eight instances, together with a Western Convention finals look in 2018-19. He ranks first in crew historical past in factors and 3-pointers and second in assists.
ESPN Analysis contributed to this report.
