The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2025 period of free agency with limited flexibility and unrivaled pressure on the front office. The task at hand wasn’t just improving the roster, but instead convincing franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo to give them one more chance.
Against all odds, Milwaukee has saved itself from disaster with two of the most shocking moves of the summer.
Antetokounmpo made waves earlier this year when it was revealed that he’d consider requesting a trade for the first time in his career. 29 suitors inevitably emerged, including several contenders that offered the former NBA champion a clear path to competing for a second title.
Just when it seemed as though Milwaukee was destined to lose Antetokounmpo, it signed Myles Turner to a team-friendly deal that instantly changed the conversation.
BREAKING: Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner. pic.twitter.com/MlDkZusVOv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Shams Charania of ESPN has since reported that Antetokounmpo and Turner have expressed mutual interest in playing together.
"Turner and Antetokounmpo both valued the opportunity to partner together on the court during the process, sources told ESPN."
Mere minutes later, it was reported that the Bucks have waived Damian Lillard to complete the early stages of a shocking retooling.
Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/eg1D1TMFM6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Just like that, Antetokounmpo has gone from destined to leave to likely to stay.
Bucks sign Myles Turner, waive Damian Lillard, preserve Giannis' future
Turner was the No. 1 center on the open market, due in no small part to his status as the arguable prototype for a modern 3-and-D big. He's one of the best shot blockers in the NBA, as well as a lethal shooter who can stretch the floor and punish lackadaisical defenders.
As such, Turner's decision to sign with the Bucks at a time when his suitors were plentiful would seemingly suggest that he's in agreement with the franchise's vision.
Perhaps that may still entail trading Antetokounmpo and building a new team that features Turner at center. It's far more likely, however, that the Bucks have completed this move with the intention of building around that dynamic new interior.
The appeal of signing to play with a two-time MVP is simply a far more likely draw for Turner than the promise of a future that remains unresolved.
By signing Turner, the Bucks have also made the game significantly easier for Antetokounmpo on both ends of the floor. Turner and Brook Lopez certainly share similarities, but the former is a far more athletic and agile player who can help more when switched against perimeter players.
Compounded by Turner's career average of 2.2 blocks per game, the Bucks can build their defense around their new addition—and Antetokounmpo can play the proverbial free safety role.
On the other end of the floor, Turner has averaged 16.8 points and 1.7 three-point field goals made on .517/.377/.776 shooting over the past three seasons. That far exceeds the 13.0 points per game that Lopez averaged in 2024-25.
By going all-in on Turner and making the difficult decision to waive Lillard, the Bucks have built a team that Antetokounmpo can confidently return to.