With the former Trail Blazer expected to miss most, or all, of next season as he recovers from the injury, the Bucks opted to waive the nine-time All-Star, stretching his contract over the next five seasons to make their new four-year, $107 million pact with Myles Turner work.

It's true that 2025 saw Lillard make his ninth All-Star appearance, and second with the Milwaukee Bucks. However, Lillard battled deep vein thrombosis during the season, tore his Achilles in the playoffs, and was reportedly waived Tuesday in the most shocking move of the NBA offseason thus far so his old team could sign center Myles Turner.

NBA insider Chris Haynes detailed the apparently strained relationship between Lillard and Milwaukee this week. "I was informed that Aaron Goodwin, Damian Lillard's agent, about a month ago, reached out to the Bucks and informed them that Dame would like to rehab back home in Portland.