Lillard's next move gets Giannis' attention.
Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday after the Milwaukee Bucks surprisingly waived him — and Giannis Antetokounmpo showed love to his former teammate's move.
The Bucks shocked the NBA by signing Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal in free agency. However, they waived and stretched the remaining $113 million on Lillard’s contract to create the necessary cap space.
Now, Lillard returns to the city where he spent the first 11 years of his career. The nine-time All-Star announced his return to Rip City on Instagram, with Antetokounmpo quickly showing support by liking the post.
The two superstars were brought together when Lillard was dealt to Milwaukee in September 2023, with high expectations surrounding the pairing of future NBA legends. However, the Bucks failed to make a serious postseason run in Lillard’s stint with Milwaukee, losing to the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back years.
MORE: Former Bucks star Damian Lillard signs $42 million deal to return to Portland
While injuries also put a damper on the Bucks’ title aspirations, both sides will now look toward the future.
Milwaukee has retooled its roster this offseason, re-signing several key rotation players while adding Turner, Cole Anthony and Gary Harris.
Lillard is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season due to a torn left Achilles tendon, though he’ll provide veteran leadership for Portland as they attempt to make the postseason for the first time since 2020-21.
Across 131 regular-season appearances with Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, the 35-year-old point guard averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.1 steals across 35.7 minutes per game.
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Category: Basketball
