Latest news with #Bucks'
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grading Myles Turner's $107 million Bucks contract in 2025 NBA free agency
The post Grading Myles Turner's $107 million Bucks contract in 2025 NBA free agency appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2025 offseason with one goal in mind; keep Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP was considering a trade request after another disappointing offseason. Milwaukee caught the NBA world off caught when the Bucks signed Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal on Tuesday. Signing Turner is part of the Bucks' attempt to convince Antetokounmpo to stay with the team. Milwaukee lost Damian Lillard to a torn ACL in the first round and the former MVP could not overcome the loss. Despite the disappointment of their loss, Bucks general manager Jon Horst has been aggressive so far this summer. Milwaukee lost Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers, but replaced him with Turner. During his time with the Pacers, Turner grew into his role, anchoring their defense and spacing the floor for Tyrese Haliburton. His performance in the NBA Finals underwhelmed fans, but the 6'11' center is one of the best defenders in the league. Fans in Indiana are upset that they lost out on Turner. Before he signed with the Bucks, he was the longest-tenured player on the Pacers' roster. However, after a decade of playing for Indiana, he now joins their rival in the Central Division. The move is a great short-term upgrade for Milwaukee. However, they needed to make a tough decision in order to open up enough cap space to pull it off. Horst and the front office waived All-Star point guard Damian Lillard and stretched out his contract. The Bucks will pay their former point guard the rest of his $113 million contract over the next few seasons. Antetokounmpo reportedly helped recruit Turner to Milwaukee. However the All-NBA forward is allegedly upset with how the Bucks pulled the move off. Horst and the front office in Milwaukee are desperate to keep Antetokounmpo. Each time that he has entertained the idea of leaving, the Bucks made a big move. First it was bringing in Jrue Holiday, then trading for Lillard the next season. Now, Milwaukee gave their superstar a center who can space the floor and take the defensive responsibility off his shoulders. However, after waiving Lillard and signing Turner to a deal slightly richer than other teams' potential offers, the Bucks are in a tough spot. Each season, they will pay $50 million to keep Turner and pay Lillard. Making the move was one of the only choice for the team to make in order to keep Antetokounmpo. Despite that, this trade is memorable, especially if he ends up leaving anyways. Related: Bucks' 2026 title odds shift after Myles Turner, Damian Lillard moves Related: Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo jokes about 'worst-case scenario' in career Trade Grade: B-
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks' Myles Turner draws Brook Lopez comparison
The post Bucks' Myles Turner draws Brook Lopez comparison appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Milwaukee Bucks may be undergoing a roster transition, but one thing remains unchanged: everything still revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee knows it, and they've embraced that franchise-defining reality. The Bucks believe they've struck gold once again, this time in the form of Myles Turner. Milwaukee acquired Turner in one of its most deliberate NBA Free Agency moves. Already, Turner is drawing comparisons to Brook Lopez, the longtime anchor of the team's defensive scheme. 'When we signed Brook forever ago, it was because we knew adding a floor spacer who could protect the rim next to Giannis would make us hard to deal with on both ends,' a Bucks coach shared. 'We're doing the same with Myles. He's not exactly the same as Brook, but we don't have to completely change our identity with Myles either. That's huge for continuity.' That continuity is exactly what the Bucks need in a summer of recalibration. With roster pieces shifting and rival contenders loading up, Milwaukee didn't just aim to survive the NBA Free Agency. Instead, the Bucks made a calculated push to thrive. A front office executive summed it up: 'I know you're a Moneyball guy from your tweets. 'Adapt or die,' right? When you have a player as good as Giannis, you have to be continually willing to do what it takes to win. That's what we did.' Turner is a two-way threat and one of the league's premier shot-blockers. He offers a rare blend of modern spacing and elite rim protection. While Milwaukee will certainly miss Brook Lopez's presence, the team believes it has found a worthy successor, one who can preserve its identity without forcing Giannis to carry an even larger defensive burden. As for the inevitable questions about Giannis' future? The team remains unbothered. 'I know you're asking about Giannis,' the executive said with a laugh. 'We have no indication that anything is really changing. We rebuilt on the fly, in a really challenging situation, but we think we did it as well as it could be done.' Now, with Myles Turner in place, the Bucks are betting that their revamped core can keep Giannis happy, and the title window wide open. Related: How Bucks feel about Damian Lillard returning to Blazers Related: Milwaukee Bucks' perfect move in 2025 NBA offseason
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo makes EuroBasket 2025 plans with Greece official
The post Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo makes EuroBasket 2025 plans with Greece official appeared first on ClutchPoints. Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo EuroBasket/status/1947586720255381706" rel="noopener">has officially committed to representing Greece in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament, NBA insider Marc Stein shared. With group stage games set in Cyprus and Riga, Latvia, and the tournament tipping off on August 27, Antetokounmpo's decision comes at a pivotal moment, not just for Greek basketball but for the Bucks' franchise as well. The two-time NBA MVP will headline a 19-player preliminary roster announced by head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, with games set to start on August 28 against Italy. He'll join his brother Kostas, along with veteran players like Kostas Sloukas and Tyler Dorsey, in a renewed push for Greece's first EuroBasket title since 2005. This isn't just another international outing for the 'Greek Freak.' After a summer filled with speculation about his future in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo's decision to play for Greece reveals a player grounded in purpose. At a recent event in Athens held by the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, Giannis emphasized his deep connection to his homeland, stating, 'When I retire, I plan to stay here. Always in Athens. Athens is my home.' Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo dreams of a homecoming He even hinted at a future reunion with his brothers at Filathlitikos. In this Athens-based club, his journey began: 'We can go back and play for Filathlitikos… promote it to the first division.' This summer's EuroBasket is personal. Antetokounmpo has long used international play as both a source of pride and motivation. His prior stints in FIBA competition, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, saw him dominate opponents, averaging 27 points on nearly 69% shooting. For Bucks fans, the message is clear: while questions about Giannis' long-term NBA future remain, especially with his potential free agency looming in 2027, his commitment to greatness is unwavering. He's preparing to lead Greece to continental glory this summer, and Milwaukee back to title contention this fall. Related: Bucks' Myles Turner draws Brook Lopez comparison Related: How Bucks feel about Damian Lillard returning to Blazers
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks have officially waived Damian Lillard, which cleared way for free agent signings
The Milwaukee Bucks officially waived all-star point guard Damian Lillard on July 6, but the transaction posted July 7 and was backdated via the NBA's official transaction register. It was the first move that needed to be made by the organization to free up the cap space to sign free-agent center Myles Turner (and create room and exceptions for their other free-agent signings). The Bucks elected to waive the point guard and stretch the remaining $113 million on his deal over the next five seasons, reducing their commitment to him on their salary cap from $54 million this year down to $22.5 million. Advertisement Lillard, who will turn 35-years-old on July 15, suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during the Bucks' playoff loss to Indiana on April 27. Once he clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent. Any contract over the next five seasons can offset the Bucks' salary cap hit, though it must be a sizable contract for it to result in a significant savings. Lillard turned in two all-star seasons while with the Bucks, appearing in 131 games and averaging 24.6 points and 7.0 assists per game. He was the all-star game MVP in 2024 and helped the Bucks win the 2025 NBA Cup title. Bucks waive Vasilije Micić The Bucks also went through the formality of waiving Vasilije Micić, whom they acquired from Charlotte for Pat Connaughton and two draft picks. It was the second time Micić was traded this summer after Phoenix picked up his team option, as he was effectively used as a number to facilitate both trades. Slated to make $8.1 million this season, he agreed to a buyout with the Bucks to return to Europe. Advertisement Bucks waive Chris Livingston The Bucks formally waived third-year forward Chris Livingston on July 2. His contract would have been guaranteed on July 15 for the upcoming season, so the move opened up a roster spot as well as $2.2 million in salary. Livingston, who is entering his third season in the NBA, was the No. 58 pick in the 2023 draft This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks officially waived Damian Lillard, cleared way for free agents
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Giannis Antetokounmpo shuts down trade talk and says he 'probably' stays with Milwaukee Bucks
(Image Source - Getty Images) The trade whispers around Giannis Antetokounmpo refuse to fade—but Milwaukee isn't backing down. After a rough playoff exit and rising speculation, Doc Rivers and the front office have stepped up, aligning behind their superstar. With Giannis saying he'll 'probably' stay and the Bucks making bold roster moves, the situation feels steady—yet not sealed. One word keeps the future open, and fans on edge. Giannis Antetokounmpo drops one Word that shifts the offseason conversation Following the Bucks' exit in the first round for the third straight year, ESPN's Shams Charania disclosed on May 12 that Antetokounmpo was "open-minded" regarding whether Milwaukee was his best long-term option. However, just a month later, Brian Windhorst stated that "there is no trade market" for Giannis—neither he nor the Bucks are advocating for a trade. This swift shift prompts some questions: is this the conclusion of the rumor cycle. Doc Rivers, the head coach of the Bucks, didn't mince words. He referred to the trade discussions as "ridiculous" and backed his superstar during his time on The Bill Simmons Show: 'I don't know how many more times Giannis has to say he wants to be a Buck and win a title'. Sources from Sports Illustrated mentioned that Rivers and the front office presented an appealing plan to Giannis, which helped him feel more at ease about staying put. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you should Ditch over 40 Learn More Undo While Damian Lillard is anticipated to miss the full 2025–26 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, Milwaukee is taking initiative. They've signed veteran center Myles Turner, kept crucial free agents like Bobby Portis and Gary Trent Jr., and have approximately $14.1 million in mid-level exception funds plus a $7.2 million trade exception. The front office, led by GM Jon Horst, is "active and moving money" to enhance the roster and show Giannis they're committed. The Bucks' chance at another championship might be more open than it seems. Since they won the title in 2021, they've had the highest win percentage in the NBA (.663 since 2018–19), but their playoff performance has hit a snag with only one series victory. Giannis, who put up an impressive 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 6.5 APG this season while shooting 60 percent, can still lead the team. However, to fulfill his goals, Milwaukee needs to add more talent around him. Also Read: Devin Booker becomes NBA's highest-paid player per year after signing $150M extension with Phoenix Suns With Giannis's brief but significant comment, Doc Rivers's sharp response, and the front office's clear determination, Milwaukee is indicating stability around its star. Still, the word "probably" leaves just enough room for ongoing dialogue. For now, Giannis looks set to stay—but with so much at risk this summer, Bucks fans might want to stay cautious for the time being. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
