The NBA world was stunned on Thursday when Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers, just one day after the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. Among the first to acknowledge the move was his former teammate, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who reacted to the announcement with a show of support.
Milwaukee’s decision to part ways with Lillard came as part of a dramatic roster shift. The Bucks secured Myles Turner on a four-year, $108.9 million deal, but to create the needed salary space, the team waived and stretched the $113 million left on Lillard’s contract. The move freed Portland’s longtime star to return to Rip City, where he had spent the first 11 years of his career. Lillard himself confirmed the news on Instagram, and Antetokounmpo quickly responded by liking the post.
The pairing of Antetokounmpo and Lillard began in September 2023, when Milwaukee acquired the nine-time All-Star in a blockbuster trade. Expectations soared, as the duo was seen as one of the most dangerous combinations in the league. However, reality fell short. In back-to-back seasons, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers, leaving fans with more questions than celebrations.
Injuries played a significant role in the disappointment. Lillard’s health struggles slowed Milwaukee’s championship ambitions, and now both sides have decided to move forward separately. While the Bucks rebuilt their roster this summer with Turner, Cole Anthony, and Gary Harris, Lillard returns to a franchise and fanbase that still associates him with loyalty and leadership.
Although the 35-year-old guard is expected to miss much of the upcoming 2025–26 campaign due to a torn left Achilles, his presence in the locker room will be invaluable as Portland pushes to end its playoff drought, which has lasted since the 2020–21 season.
During his tenure in Milwaukee, Lillard appeared in 131 regular-season games, averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers, and 1.1 steals across 35.7 minutes per night. Despite the brief partnership with Antetokounmpo, the respect between the two stars remains evident, even as their paths now move in different directions.
