The Milwaukee Bucks made a move that sent shockwaves across the league. Fresh off acquiring defensive-minded center Myles Turner, the Bucks made an even more surprising decision. They officially waived Damian Lillard, stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years.

Lillard, who tore his Achilles during the playoffs, is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season. That means they’ll be paying Dame $22.5 million per year until 2030, a jaw-dropping number for a player who won’t suit up again until full recovery. So, now he will hit free agency at age 36. But even with that timeline, fans and analysts alike were stunned that Milwaukee chose to part ways with a future Hall of Famer this quickly. Especially considering the cost they paid to get him just one year ago.

On paper, the Bucks swapped out an injured veteran star for a younger, healthier center. But on the court? In the locker room? The emotional ripple effects were immediate.

According to Chris Haynes, “Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with the team’s decision to waive Damian Lillard.” This was supposed to be the duo. Giannis and Dame. Championship-caliber. Pick-and-roll nightmares for opposing defenses. But now, with Lillard gone and the Bucks coming off three straight first-round playoff exits, the foundation that once looked so promising is clearly cracked.

To make things even more complicated, Giannis Antetokounpo actually helped recruit Myles Turner. Evan Sidery reported, “Giannis Antetokounmpo helped recruit Myles Turner to the Bucks, they both loved the idea of pairing up, per @ShamsCharania.” So, what’s happening?

The answer may lie in the execution. The Bucks landed Turner, sure. But it came at the cost of losing Damian Lillard, the exact player Giannis was so excited to build with just a year ago. The decision, especially with Lillard rehabbing and unable to defend himself or contribute, has left a sour taste, not just in the front office but across the fanbase and possibly the league. While the front office made its decision, the choice may prove to be more costly than the $113 million still owed to Dame.

The Bay Area fans find an open window amid Bucks’ rising tension

But that is not all, the reaction from around the league was as fast as it was furious. And optimistic if you’re from L.A. or the Bay Area. One wrote on X, “Bucks waiving Dame while injured is heartless. Just bring Giannis to Lakers. This is disgusting.”

And yes, the Lakers are suddenly looking a lot smarter for holding off on big free-agent spending. Pelinka’s team let Dorian Finney-Smith walk this summer and reportedly chose to keep their cap space clear for 2027. When stars like Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and, yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo could hit the market. Fans are pouncing on the opportunity to link Giannis to their teams. “Now more than ever Cavs get the big cap space & out of 2nd apron + Bron farewell tour. Bucks get a PG, C, Picks + Giannis is unhappy and wants to leave. Lakers get superstar pairing Giannis + Luka,” declared another user.

Meanwhile, the Warriors? Their fans aren’t quiet either. “@Giannis_An34 go ahead and request that trade to the Warriors,” wrote a netizen. With dead money from Lillard clogging the Bucks’ books for the next half-decade, rebuilding will be incredibly difficult. If Milwaukee’s front office believed this move would fix their cap, it may have just shattered their chemistry. After three straight first-round playoff exits, this could be the final straw.

Another Warriors fan wrote, “Dame to the Bay Giannis Center 1 omfg Warriors another chip Steph’s 5th ring 🥲”.

It’s clear the situation is fragile. Giannis may not request a trade tomorrow, but whispers are louder than ever. If the Bucks don’t compete next year, especially without Dame, the 2025-26 season could be Giannis’s last in Milwaukee.  

The Bucks made their move. Whether it was calculated or reckless depends on who you ask. But one thing’s for sure, they’ve opened a door. A door that Rob Pelinka in Los Angeles and Mike Dunleavy Jr. in Golden State are absolutely prepared to walk through. If this is the beginning of the end of the Giannis era in Milwaukee, fans on the coasts are ready.