Bucks' message to Lillard.
Damian Lillard Receives Message From Bucks After Unexpected Release originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In a surprise offseason move that rippled throughout the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks officially waived nine‑time All‑Star point guard Damian Lillard on July 1.
The franchise elected to stretch his remaining contract in order to clear cap space for the marquee free‑agent signing of Myles Turner, who agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Bucks on the same day.
The move came amid Lillard's recovery from a torn Achilles suffered on April 27 during the NBA playoffs.
On Monday, the Bucks took to X to post a brief farewell to Lillard.
"A leader as resilient and clutch as they come," the Bucks said. "You gave your all for this team and this city. Thank you, Dame."
A leader as resilient and clutch as they come. You gave your all for this team and this city.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2025
Thank you, Dame. pic.twitter.com/CB1fYOyCoW
Drafted sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, Lillard immediately stamped his mark by earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2013.
Traded to the Bucks in 2023, Lillard posted a franchise‑record 39 points in his debut and averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 58 games last season before injuries cut his campaign short.
Over a 13 seasons in the NBA, he has collected nine All‑Star selections, seven All‑NBA honors and remains the Trail Blazer's all‑time leading scorer with 19,376 points.
Lillard’s 2024‑25 season was marred first by a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf in late March, which sidelined him for several weeks.
Cleared in mid‑April, he returned for Game 2 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers only to suffer a left Achilles rupture days later, prompting season‑ending surgery in early May.
Lillard is expected to continue his rehabilitation in Portland, close to family and his personal training staff, while retaining the freedom to sign with any franchise once healthy.
He enters free agency still owed his full contract via the stretch, with multiple contenders lining up interest for when he returns to play, such as the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
