The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract with the intention to purchase Myles Turner, sources instructed ESPN on Tuesday.
Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million take care of the Bucks, plus a participant choice for yr 4 in 2028-29 and a full 15% commerce kicker, sources instructed ESPN.
Lillard’s two seasons in Milwaukee come to an finish as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon.
The Bucks discovered a artistic path to waive and stretch Lillard — whose wage can be stretched over the following 5 seasons — whereas leaving their future draft property untouched.
Turner, the longest-tenured Pacers participant over 10 seasons with the franchise, made it identified he wished to stay in Indiana. Because the Pacers’ Sport 7 exit within the NBA Finals towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, Turner’s reps pushed to get a deal executed. In the end, Indiana’s aversion to the posh tax, which grew after Tyrese Haliburton‘s torn Achilles damage, allowed the Bucks to accumulate their new franchise middle.
The 29-year-old Turner was an enormous a part of the Pacers’ success because the 6-foot-11 massive 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 throughout the Pacers’ postseason run.
Turner is one among 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 throughout the early days of free company, Bucks normal supervisor and CAA Co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown partnered on executing a posh, large deal to reshape Milwaukee and permit the franchise to retool aggressively once more round Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks have re-signed Bobby Portis, sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr., ahead Taurean Prince and guard Kevin Porter Jr. this offseason, whereas dropping Lopez, who signed with the LA Clippers.
The Bucks had visions of trying to accumulate Turner, however had no pathway as a consequence of their wage restrictions, however Horst and Brown huddled on Monday and Tuesday to create a gap.
Turner and Antetokounmpo each valued the chance to accomplice collectively on the court docket throughout the course of, sources instructed ESPN.
With Antetokounmpo contemplating his future and whether or not his greatest match was with the Bucks shifting ahead, Milwaukee executives as soon as once more make a significant transfer.
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. Now, Horst acquires Turner, displaying the dedication to construct a contender within the Jap Convention with Antetokounmpo in his prime — whereas taking a key piece from a fellow East menace.
ESPN Analysis contributed to this report.