The Milwaukee Bucks have already pieced together an interesting offseason since falling to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst and CAA co-head of basketball Austin Brown on Tuesday waived star guard Damian Lillard, who suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in the postseason. Milwaukee opted in a provision to stretch the remaining money on his deal — $113 million — across five years so to not hamper the team's immediate future with his release, per an ESPN report.
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The Bucks, in turn, signed former Indiana center Myles Turner, who was a key component of the squad's run to the NBA Finals, to a four-year, $107 million contract with a player option in the final season.
Those moves were the headliners of what has turned out to be a hectic offseason for Milwaukee. It traded Pat Connaughton and two second-round picks (2031, 2032) to the Charlotte Hornets for guard Vasilije Micic on Tuesday.
The Bucks also re-signed Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Jericho Sims across the past week. They ventured outside the organization to sign forward Gary Harris but lost center Brook Lopez to Los Angeles Clippers.
Four-plus years removed from its most recent NBA title, Milwaukee is likely to continue shaping its roster in the coming weeks as it prepares for battle in an Eastern Conference that will be up for grabs next season.
Here are three takeaways from the Bucks' moves so far this offseason.
Turner adds more of what Lopez did well
Lopez altered his playing style during his tenure with the Bucks, developing into a 3-point shooting threat at the center spot while also becoming a notable rim protector.
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His departure meant that the Bucks would need to find a replacement for those attributes as well as his 13 points, five rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. And as it turns out, Turner provides much of the same impact.
Lopez and Turner are two of just three players in NBA history with 700 3-pointers and 1,400 blocks, along with Rasheed Wallace, according to ESPN.
Turner, who is just 29 years old despite playing 10 years in the NBA, has shown an ability to produce at a higher rate in past seasons than Lopez. He is also fresh off a strong playoff run, which included a stat line of 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in a first round series against Milwaukee.
Lopez, in the same series, averaged just five points per game in 14.8 minutes.
While it's not an apples-to-apples comparison with stark salary differences — Lopez is set to make $18 million across two seasons — Turner's addition alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Portis give the Bucks an intriguing three-man rotation of post players who can move well, score and defend.
Lillard's release suggests win-now mindset
Turner will venture from a team with an injured star point guard to one that just offloaded their own.
Tyrese Haliburton, who gained fame behind his clutch late-game shots in the Pacers' finals run, suffered an Achilles injury in Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder — the same setback Lillard suffered weeks prior.
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With Haliburton's injury, the Pacers seemed to understand that it would be difficult to replicate a postseason run next season. And as a result, they appeared hesitant to pay Turner, or any player, a salary that would push past the cap and have to pay the luxury tax, according to ESPN.
Milwaukee went a different direction, deciding to let Lillard go in an attempt to gain some flexibility to sign Turner. It was a move that showed the Bucks are focused on improvement and the current window, one that looks wide open with the conference's top teams facing some hurdles.
The Eastern Conference's past two champions — Indiana and the Boston Celtics — each had their star player injured in the postseason and chose not to buy into next season. Another top team, the New York Knicks, are amidst a coaching search after firing Tom Thibodeau.
Those respective obstacles leave a potential void at the top of the conference, and the Bucks seem to see it as an opportunity to work toward that now.
Emphasis placed on depth
One of the Bucks' major weaknesses this season was its depth. Antetokounmpo and Lillard — when healthy — played like All-Stars, and Portis provided a few key moments, too.
But the roster lacked other playmakers who could take over when needed.
Take, for example, the series against the Pacers. Indiana had eight players who averaged 10 or more points per game over the five contests, and reserve forward Obi Toppin also averaged 8.8. Meanwhile, Milwaukee had just five average double-digit scoring totals, with Lopez falling well short of that.
The addition of Harris — formerly of the Denver Nuggets and the Orlando Magic — gives the team another scorer with playoff experience and a balanced skillset in addition to a plethora of returners.
Photos: Bucks fight to try to stay alive in playoffs with Game 5 battle against Pacers
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Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner spins past Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to get past Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots past Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers signals to his players during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. shoots past Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. dribbles past Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers argues a call with referee Brian Forte during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims dunks the ball during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez dribbles the ball past Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard shoots past Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr., right, during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton passes the ball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, and guard Gary Trent Jr., right, during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots past the Indiana Pacers' defense during the first half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle looks onto the court during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner reacts during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, center, celebrates a defensive play with teammates Andrew Nembhard, left, and center Myles Turner during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, second from left, and Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, right, are separated by teammates during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, right, talks to referee David Guthrie during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. dunks over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, right, and forward Jarace Walker during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. celebrates during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton shoots past Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles while being defended by Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell shoots over Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam dunks past Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner dunks in front of Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts after hitting his hand on the rim during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis shoots over the Indiana Pacers' defense during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, right, during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. during the second half of Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press
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