Milwaukee gains some flexibility after bold offseason move.
Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday — and the Bucks will receive some financial relief as a result.
The Bucks stunned the NBA this summer by waiving and stretching the remaining $113 million on Lillard’s contract over five years. In doing so, the club created enough cap space to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million contract. Although the team added a talented big man in Turner, Milwaukee risked its long-term financial flexibility by stretching Lillard’s contract.
There is some good news, though. With the nine-time All-Star returning to Portland, the Bucks will get $2.3 million in cap savings annually, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN.
MORE: Former Bucks star Damian Lillard signs $42 million deal to return to Portland
The five-year cap hit for waiving the veteran point guard was originally set at $22.5 million per year, but it’ll now drop to $20.2 million. However, those savings won’t take effect until after the 2025-26 regular season, meaning the Bucks won’t be able to utilize the extra space immediately.
The 35-year-old returns to Portland after a two-year stint with Milwaukee. While fans had high expectations for the pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard, the duo was affected by injuries and failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs. The superstar point guard notably suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during the 2025 postseason and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign.
Lillard will now provide veteran leadership for a rising Portland squad featuring young backcourt pieces Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Whether Lillard can return to All-Star form remains to be seen, but a reunion with the team that drafted him may offer a much-needed reset.
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Category: Basketball
