Who would’ve thunk the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks would become strange bedfellows this offseason?
The Pacers could’ve very well kept franchise mainstay Myles Turner following their run to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury has seemingly led them to punting on next season and avoiding the luxury tax while their point guard recovers.
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The Bucks didn’t seem to have any route to improve while Damian Lillard, their aging point guard, recovered from the same exact injury, and while facing the loud ticking clock known as Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Somehow, the Bucks found a way to acquire Turner with cap space they didn’t have by using the stretch provision on Lillard, waiving him and the remaining $113 million on his contact that was slated to last for the next two years. Now that money will be evenly distributed as a salary cap hit for the next five years at $22 million, creating the opening for the 30-year-old Turner.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be content in Milwaukee? (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
(John Fisher via Getty Images)
Lillard knew something was coming, sources told Yahoo Sports, believing a trade was in the works and not this development. He can sign with a team if he chooses, perhaps for the minimum because any money he signs for will be offset by what the Bucks owe him. Or he can continue to rehab with his physical therapist, who wasn’t a team employee.
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Remember, Lillard wanted Miami when exiting Portland before the Bucks swooped in, and after dealing with a blood clot then returning for the Bucks’ first-round series, he tore his Achilles — an unfortunate turn of developments.
But what does this mean for Antetokounmpo? He just had another stellar season — which we almost take for granted at this point — averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks. He’s turning 31 in December, and the Bucks have had more coaches (three) since winning a championship in 2021 than playoff series wins (one), thus creating a constant state of urgency.
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