Bucks GM Jon Horst Opens Up on Bold Damian Lillard Move, Myles Turner Signing, and Future Plans
Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Jon Horst has never shied away from making bold decisions, and this offseason was no exception. Faced with a difficult situation after superstar guard Damian Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon that will sideline him for most of the 2025-26 season, the Bucks made a stunning move—waiving the nine-time All-Star. In doing so, the team chose to stretch the $113 million remaining on Lillard’s contract over five years, resulting in $22.5 million in dead cap space annually.
While painful, the decision opened the door for a major acquisition. The Bucks quickly pivoted and signed top free-agent big man Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal. Turner, a premier rim protector and floor spacer, is expected to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo and help keep the Bucks in championship contention.
Despite the drastic reshaping of the roster, Horst emphasized that this is only the beginning. “What excites me most is that we’re not done,” he said. “This was just the offseason. Now we head into training camp, and we’re going to evaluate everything—our players, our fit, our opportunities. We’re going to build toward the trade deadline, and if there’s a way to improve, we will.”
Horst left the door open for more significant moves, noting that the Bucks could either stand pat if they believe they have the best team in the NBA or act aggressively if changes are needed. “All we care about is doing everything possible to win,” he said. “Just like we expect our players to leave it all on the floor, we’ve left nothing on the table in building this roster. I’m proud of that.”
The Bucks’ future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—they’re swinging for another title.
