It has been settled that the Milwaukee Bucks and Damian Lillard parted ways amicably. Now, the next issue is whether his time with the Bucks is a failure or not.
Milwaukee Bucks
May 2, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) defends during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Lillard was waived in order to accommodate the salary of new signing Myles Turner who is set to earn $107 million for four years. The nine-time All-Star will then be paid $22 million in the next five years even if he is no longer with the team instead of getting around $50 million in the next two seasons. He would not be able to play in the first of those two seasons.
His tenure would the team ended abruptly but was it a failure?
Dame came to the team with so much hype in 2023. Milwaukee are supposed to be instant contenders with him in the line-up together with MVP candidate and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, no team success was achieved except an NBA Cup title last season. The team exited the first round in the two seasons he was with the team.
They did not have the Greek in the 2023-24 playoffs, sitting out all six games that led to a first round exit in the hands of the Indiana Pacers. The next one was no different but this time, it was Dame who was not able to show his full arsenal as he missed the first game, played in the next two, but got injured six minutes into the Game 4.
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Apr 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (middle) sits on the bench with an injury against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
That injury ended his season and then the next one.
Damian Lillard reposts lists of stats
There was no team success. His name was not as loud during the time he was with the Portland Trailblazers.
However, his personal numbers speak for how he remains among the best scorers in the league.
This is what Dame is using to refute claims he is washed by reposting an X post made a user.
2x all star, all star starter, all star game mvp, nba cup, leading scoring duo last two years. Tenth in scoring last season. Second player in nba history to avg 24+ points and 7+ assists at age 34. Bucks havent had a point guard play at that level in 50 years. 🫡
— monis (@mrbigfits) July 3, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen A. Smith
Jan 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts with guard Damian Lillard (0) after scoring a basket in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Lillard does not stop in just reposting about his personal stats. He also sent a warning to those who are thinking that signing him as a free agent is a gamble.
If they call it a “gamble” at this stage… tell em this the jackpot. #ToBeContinued
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 4, 2025
Lillard is ready to move on to a new team and reports say there are at least 10 teams wanting to sign him.
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