Milwaukee did it.
The reports and all the reaction from players that followed left no doubt that it was coming.
But it wasn't until Monday that the Milwaukee Bucks officially waived Damian Lillard. It really happened.
The superstar guard, coming off a torn Achilles in the playoffs, was stretched-and-waived to allow the Bucks to mitigate the impact of the remaining $113 million on his contract. It made room for starting center Myles Turner to sign a $107 million free agent deal to depart the Pacers for Milwaukee.
It's still hard to fathom, though.
Lillard is a no-doubt Hall of Famer. He was meant to be the Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo's Batman, the guy that brought Milwaukee back to the NBA Finals.
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Instead, a heartbreaking injury was followed by a brutal ending with the Bucks.
Most reports indicate that Lillard didn't even know it was coming.
His story can have a happy ending, if he finds the right team to sign with.
But this was sad, and it was made official Monday. It still is hard to believe.
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Category: Basketball