“It was really a now versus future decision.” The Milwaukee Bucks’ general manager Jon Horst made it pretty clear why the team moved on from an ailing and ageing Damian Lillard. Knowing that Lillard is most likely to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season, but still, almost no one saw the Bucks waiving the nine-time All-Star this offseason.

Horst’s logic, however, was rooted in urgency. The Lillard-Giannis pairing had real potential for a shot at the third championship in Milwaukee—until an Achilles injury derailed it. And with Giannis in his prime, Horst wasn’t willing to gamble on waiting. So, in order to let Lillard go, the Bucks ended up stretching Dame’s $113 million deal for over five years and signed free agent Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million deal to reinforce their core.

Welcoming the waiver, Damian, meanwhile, headed back to his former team, Portland, which features Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson. However, all of these changes in Milwaukee, in such a short span of time, did not sit well with the former Bucks’ star, Pat Beverley.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Pat Beverley admitted. “You just heard one day small little somebody signing small somebody signing next thing you know Dame Lillard not even traded (but) waived!” That abrupt move hit harder because of what Lillard represented. He left Portland to chase a title, yet barely got a chance. Even Beverley, a straight-shooter, said, “If you asked me…did you think Damian Lillard was going to be waived this summer? Like I would have bet my bottom dollar that didn’t happen.” He still can’t get over Lillard getting waived.

So was Dame’s Milwaukee run a failure? “Him taking a chance and going to Milwaukee, you look back on it, did they underachieve or overachieve? You have to say under no? ” Beverley replied. They didn’t even make it past the first round in either season. And that raised questions about how Milwaukee built its roster. “My first lesson is that it is very hard to win with one-position defenders,” said Adam Ferrone, pointing to Lillard’s defensive limitations despite his offensive genius. He added, “So while you added another superstar next to Giannis, you don’t necessarily have as much versatility.”

“You got to be able to guard,” Pat added. “You got to think, like, me and Dame might have the same amount of wins with Milwaukee in the playoffs.” Harsh? Maybe. But true. And while Lillard got paid and landed in a familiar spot, Beverley captured the lingering vibe: “I can’t wait till I play you m———–. Y’all got me f—-d up.” According to him, while Damian wouldn’t mind it considering the deal he got with the Blazers, there must be some lingering dissatisfaction inside. So the Bucks can expect some revenge when they inevitably cross paths this season.

How Giannis Antetokounmpo’s loyalty shifted the Knicks’ future and made Mikal Bridges $150 million richer

What happens when a team waits on a superstar who never comes? For the Knicks, it led to an unexpected $150 million decision. New York had quietly watched Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee, hoping for a crack to open. But once it became clear that Giannis wouldn’t ask out, they changed course. “The New York Knicks got intel that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks before signing Mikal Bridges to an extension,” an NBA source told Hoops Wire.

Giannis’ decision not to leave didn’t just seal his own fate; it shaped someone else’s. The Knicks had real interest in acquiring the two-time MVP. But “all signs point toward Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee.” With no blockbuster deal in reach, New York focused on keeping their core intact. Bridges, who was entering the final year of his deal, suddenly became a top priority. They offered him a four-year deal worth $150 million. That decision was focused on creating a stable future.

The question is, how does Bridges feel about being the Knicks’ Plan B? He got the biggest paycheck of his career, no doubt. But would that deal exist if Giannis Antetokounmpo had asked out? It’s hard to ignore that twist. “The Knicks would have pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo had the two-time MVP requested a trade from the Bucks.” But he didn’t. So Bridges cashed in. Whether that’s comforting or awkward depends on how you see it, grateful for the reward or aware of the circumstance.

Bridges has seen this before. He was part of the Kevin Durant trade in 2023 and knows what it feels like to be moved for a superstar. This time, he stayed, but only because the Knicks had to. That contract now comes with pressure. Can he live up to what could’ve been Giannis’ spot?