Bucks Stun NBA: Lillard Waived, Turner Signed— Uncertainty Swirls Around KPJ’s Future as Starting PG
Just days ago, the NBA world was shaken by the Milwaukee Bucks’ unexpected signing of Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract in free agency—a deal that came completely out of left field. But just as quickly as the front office moved to bring Turner aboard, they made an equally stunning and polarizing move to create the cap space needed: waiving Damian Lillard.
The decision wasn’t without context. Lillard is expected to miss most—if not all—of the upcoming season as he recovers from a torn Achilles. Still, waiving a superstar with two years and $112.6 million remaining on his deal is a jarring choice. By using the stretch provision, Milwaukee will spread Dame’s salary across five years at $22.5 million annually, keeping that amount on their books through 2030. It’s a long-term burden for a short-term cap gain, and fans are understandably divided.
Some had hoped that Kevin Porter Jr. (KPJ) might be groomed as the successor at point guard, especially after his steady performances late in the season. Porter held his own running the offense alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo while Dame dealt with blood clots, including key minutes in their first-round series against Cleveland. However, in several of those games, it was Ryan Rollins—not Porter—who got the starting nod, with KPJ operating as a closer off the bench. Now, Rollins is an unrestricted free agent and may not return, leaving the Bucks without a true ballhandler on the roster.
That uncertainty is reflected in recent fan sentiment. Without the hope of a Lillard comeback in the spring and with no clear floor general in place, a majority of fans now believe Milwaukee should look elsewhere for a starting point guard rather than handing the keys to KPJ. It’s a sharp pivot from the confidence some held just weeks ago, and it reflects the ripple effect of a bold offseason swing.
