The Milwaukee Bucks have parted ways with the injured Damian Lillard, breaking up the highest scoring duo in the 2024-25 season together with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo
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
While many understand that this is a business decision, and that the two parties parted ways amicably, Skip Bayless tries to sow intrigue by accusing the Greek Freak of not liking Lillard’s presence on the court.
His evidence? The fact that Antetokounmpo went berserk statistically while the nine-time All-Star was out. He claimed that the superstar had a say about this management decision.
“You know and I know Giannis signed off on this,” Bayless said on self-title show published over the weekend.
“In the end, all the Bucks management really cares about is keeping Giannis in Milwaukee. And obviously, Giannis did not love playing with Dame. Did you happen to notice what happened the last few weeks of the regular season when Dame was out? He went MVP-style crazy.”
Bayless was right about the stats. The Greek Freak acted like a point forward while they were waiting for Lillard to return from a deep-vein thrombosis illness that was traced early in February. He recorded triple doubles in four of the last six games they played in the eliminations.
Giannis Antetokounmpo yet to speak about Damian Lillard
The Bucks have made official their goodbyes to several of their players from last season. Aside from Lillard, they also let Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton go.
Dame Time will always have meaning in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/japVqLgVFl
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2025
Antetokounmpo has been active on social media in the past weeks, sharing clips about his vacation and gigs in Greece. He has also made comments about the departure of Lopez and Connaughton.
What’s missing is his reaction to Lillard getting waived.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards
Feb 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Former teammates Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) hug prior to their game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
One should not overthink this though as Giannis also took some time to react on the trade that sent away Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards.
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