Bucks Emerge as Favorites to Land $38 Million Star After Releasing Damian Lillard

Bucks Emerge as Favorites to Land $38 Million Star After Releasing Damian Lillard originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised the NBA on Tuesday by agreeing to a contract with free agent center Myles Turner, who had been widely expected to re-sign with the Indiana Pacers. 

Moreover, to accommodate Turner's arrival on a four-year, $107 million deal, the Bucks opted to "waive and stretch" injured guard Damian Lillard, who is now a free agent after two seasons in Milwaukee.

The moves signal big changes to the Bucks' roster next season, in response to three successive first-round playoff exits. The changes could cut even deeper if franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo asks for a trade, which has been regarded as a concrete possibility this summer.

#NBA | Scottie Barnes' Team for the 2025/26 Season

▫️ Milwaukee Bucks (+200)
▫️ Brooklyn Nets (+300)
▫️ Chicago Bulls (+400)
▫️ Sacramento Kings (+500)

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While Antetokounmpo is weighing his options amid Milwaukee's makeover, changes in the Toronto front office could have consequences for Scottie Barnes, often regarded as the Raptors' top player.

The Raptors are looking for a new general manager following Masai Ujiri's exit. Ujiri had drafted Barnes in 2021 and watched him develop into a Rookie of the Year winner and an All-Star, but a new-look front office may want to build around a different star.

Due to the uncertainty around the Raptors, as well as questions over Antetokounmpo's future, new odds have listed the Bucks as the most likely team for Barnes to join in 2025-26, ahead of the Chicago Bulls, the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings.

Barnes, 23, averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists on a Raptors team that finished 30-52 during the 2024-25 season. However, he is entering the first year of a $224 million rookie extension, making a trade difficult to seal for many teams, given outgoing player salaries would have to match the $38 million that Barnes is owed next year.

In addition, the Raptors will want to give Barnes and Brandon Ingram a full season together, to see if they can guide Toronto back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Raptors' most likely trade candidate right now appears to be RJ Barrett, who was not dealt prior to the 2025 NBA Draft but could be a name to watch later in the summer.

Related: Fans Are Upset After Bucks' Controversial Damian Lillard Move

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.