The Athletic NBA Daily: Bucks Waive Damian Lillard, Sign Myles Turner
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Hosts: Dave DeFore, Zena Cada
Guest: Kelly Eco

Introduction

In the July 2, 2025 episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Dave DeFore and Zena Cada delve into significant moves in the NBA free agency market, focusing primarily on the Milwaukee Bucks' surprising decision to waive Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner. Additionally, the episode features insightful analysis from guest Kelly Eco on the Houston Rockets' ambitious efforts to ascend from the second seed, including their high-profile acquisition of Kevin Durant.

Milwaukee Bucks' Strategic Moves

Waiving Damian Lillard Using Wave and Stretch Provision

The episode opens with a deep dive into the Bucks' bold move to waive Damian Lillard, leveraging the wave and stretch provision of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Dave DeFore [03:43]: "The stretch and wave provision of the CBA allows teams to take a contract and stretch it over multiple years... Damian Lillard... is going to cost the Milwaukee Bucks $22.5 million per year for five years."

This maneuver allows the Bucks to manage their salary cap effectively by spreading out Lillard's hefty $113 million contract over an extended period. Despite the financial flexibility this provides, DeFore highlights potential challenges:

Dave DeFore [05:41]: "They have to figure out who's going to dribble the ball for Giannis. They have to find someone to handle the playmaking, which is a critical gap in their lineup."

Signing Myles Turner

In place of Lillard, the Bucks have signed Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal. Turner brings defensive prowess and floor-stretching abilities that complement Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Zena Cada [08:03]: "Myles Turner, huge sign for the Bucks, especially with Brook Lopez departing to the Clippers."

However, DeFore raises concerns about the lingering dead money from Lillard's contract, which could impact the Bucks' ability to further strengthen their roster.

Dave DeFore [06:01]: "They still have some moves to go because... ball handling and off-ball creation are still areas they need to address."

Denver Nuggets' Roster Enhancements

Shifting focus to the Denver Nuggets, the hosts discuss the team's recent acquisition of Jonas Valančiūnas and Tim Hardaway Jr. to bolster their support for star center Nikola Jokić.

Dave DeFore [11:24]: "Jonas Valančiūnas might even allow them to give Jokic a night off here and there during the regular season because he can score and rebound."

Valančiūnas provides solid defensive coverage and rebounding, allowing Jokić to rest without compromising team performance. Additionally, Hardaway Jr.'s addition brings valuable shooting off the bench.

Zena Cada [12:26]: "Tim Hardaway Jr. comes in over from Detroit. One-year deal with Jr. Adds more shooting on the outside."

The Nuggets are positioning themselves to maintain depth and versatility, ensuring they remain competitive throughout the season.

Houston Rockets' High-Stakes Acquisition of Kevin Durant

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Kelly Eco's analysis of the Houston Rockets' acquisition of Kevin Durant, a move aimed at propelling the team into contention.

Kelly Eco [18:53]: "Kevin Durant became the answer in terms of a plug-and-play guy that could solve a lot of issues just by him being on the roster."

Eco explains that the Rockets strategically targeted Durant as a veteran presence to elevate their roster, balancing youth with seasoned talent. This acquisition is seen as a wrap-the-eggs-in basket for the Rockets' immediate championship aspirations.

Dave DeFore [20:37]: "If a couple months ago I would have told you that the Rockets made a big trade and got Kevin Durant... would that have sounded like a good trade at the time?"

Eco counters that while the trade initially appeared to give up substantial assets, the addition of Durant, along with players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, has significantly upgraded the Rockets' lineup.

Kelly Eco [21:14]: "The Rockets did some great business in terms of how they were able to structure everything. Obviously, the KD extension still remains to be seen."

Team Dynamics and Future Prospects

The integration of Durant into the Rockets' system under Coach Ime Udoka brings both opportunities and challenges. While Durant's offensive prowess is undeniable, the team must adapt defensively and manage Durant's minutes to prevent burnout.

Kelly Eco [22:07]: "How do you build around KD? How do you adapt to him as opposed to him adapting to you?"

Moreover, the Rockets are navigating the development of young talents like Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, ensuring they find roles that complement the veteran stars.

Kelly Eco [32:40]: "Cam Whitmore is such a tricky situation... it's a really tricky situation to be in for him."

Insights and Conclusions

The episode underscores the brutal nature of NBA business decisions, where teams must balance financial constraints with competitive aspirations. The Bucks' decision to waive Lillard while securing Turner reflects a strategic pivot towards strengthening their core despite financial hurdles. Meanwhile, the Rockets' acquisition of Durant exemplifies a high-risk, high-reward strategy to ascend in the standings immediately.

Key takeaways include:

• Financial Maneuvering: Utilizing provisions like wave and stretch can provide teams with necessary flexibility but come with long-term commitments.
• Roster Building: Balancing veteran presence with emerging talent is crucial for sustained success.
• Adaptability: Teams must continuously adapt their strategies to integrate new players and address existing shortcomings.

Zena Cada [25:44]: "I do not think that Dorian Finney Smith is better than Dylan Brooks. I don't think that his offense and his production was on the level of Dylan Brooks. The stats back that up."

This candid assessment highlights the ongoing evaluation teams must perform to ensure roster moves translate into on-court success.

Notable Quotes

• Dave DeFore [03:43]: "Damian Lillard... is going to cost the Milwaukee Bucks $22.5 million per year for five years."
• Zena Cada [08:03]: "Myles Turner, huge sign for the Bucks, especially with Brook Lopez departing to the Clippers."
• Kelly Eco [18:53]: "Kevin Durant became the answer in terms of a plug-and-play guy that could solve a lot of issues just by him being on the roster."
• Zena Cada [25:44]: "I do not think that Dorian Finney Smith is better than Dylan Brooks."

Conclusion

The July 2 episode of The Athletic NBA Daily offers a comprehensive analysis of pivotal NBA free agency moves, shedding light on the strategic decisions of teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets. Through expert commentary and in-depth discussions, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between financial management, player acquisitions, and team dynamics that shape the landscape of professional basketball.

For more insights and detailed analyses, subscribe to The Athletic NBA Daily on your preferred podcast platform.