The Milwaukee Bucks made some significant roster moves on Tuesday, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was reportedly unhappy with one of them.
The Bucks have agreed to a 4-year, $107 million deal with veteran center Myles Turner. They made room to sign the former Indiana Pacers star by parting ways with Damian Lillard. Apparently Antetokounmpo has an issue with the latter decision.
Lillard will be waived by the Bucks, with the remaining $113 million of his contract stretched over the next five seasons.
According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Giannis is “not pleased” with the way the Bucks handled the Lillard situation.
“Sources relayed to me that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with the Bucks’ decision to buy out Damian Lillard for the remainder of his contract. He just didn’t like how it was handled,” Haynes said.
“This whole offseason, since the season ended, he’s been weighing his options and trying to figure out what he’s going to do, trying to navigate his future. This is just one more thing added to the equation in which he’s seeing that there’s some suspect things happening, or the way that they are happening. So, I was told he is not pleased with what transpired with Damian Lillard.”
"He just didn't like how it was handled." 😳@ChrisBHaynes reports on Giannis' reaction to Milwaukee waiving Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/cyLzAvtcGS
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 1, 2025
Giannis probably has mixed emotions about what transpired on Tuesday. Lillard suffered a torn Achilles during the playoffs, so he may miss the entire 2025-26 season. He will also turn 35 later this month. There is no guarantee that the nine-time All-Star will be the same player if and when he is fully recovered.
The Bucks should be a better team with Turner, who is a quality rim protector and can stretch the floor. The Eastern Conference is viewed as being wide open with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum both recovering from torn Achilles tendons they suffered in the playoffs.
There has been talk of Giannis potentially seeking a trade, but that still seems unlikely. Even if he is unhappy with the Bucks over the Lillard situation, his team should be in a great position to contend next season.
