The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to waive All-Star guard Damian Lillard to free up salary cap space to sign free agent center Myles Turner, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN reporter Shams Charania revealed that Turner has reached a multi-year, $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks and is expected to become the team's starting center in the new season.

Lillard's departure was shocking. He was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 2023-24 season. He was originally expected to play for the team, but was released after only one year.

What's even more regrettable is that Lillard tore his Achilles tendon in the first round of the 2025 playoffs against the Indiana Pacers and is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season.

It is worth mentioning that Lillard missed 14 regular season games this season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. After stopping anticoagulant drugs and obtaining medical permission, he made a tenacious comeback and returned in Game 2 of the playoffs. However, he was seriously injured again in Game 4, which made his future uncertain.

Despite this, the 34-year-old Lillard still showed top-level performance, averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game this season, ranking 10th in the league, and was selected as an All-Star for the ninth time in his career. His layoff will undoubtedly add major variables to the free agent market this summer.

For the Milwaukee Bucks, Turner's joining may indicate that the team will undergo a comprehensive lineup reorganization. For Lillard, a new journey is about to begin, although the starting point is full of unknowns.