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Category: Bucks

Latest Milwaukee Bucks Rumors and News.

  • Which Teams Are Legit Title Threats In 2026? Early Look At Contenders And Pretenders

    Which Teams Are Legit Title Threats In 2026? Early Look At Contenders And Pretenders

    Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers, Cavs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder, NBA
    File photo

    There are still moves to be made, with an entire offseason still to go. But already, we can see what’s taking shape. And it’s that the NBA has as much parity as it has at any time in its history — a trend that’s likely to continue.

    Still, some teams are giving signals they’re ready to contend. Some are leftover contenders from last year, who are ready to take the next step. Others are liquidating talent for youth (Phoenix Suns, anyone?) and still others are planning for the future, already knowing that 2026 won’t be their year (Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, etc.).

    Let’s start with the Eastern Conference. The defending conference champion Indiana Pacers have suffered two massive hits, losing Myles Turner in free agency and Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) for likely all of next season. The window was probably already open in the East. Now it’s been smashed to the point where just about anyone can squeeze through.

    An ESPN poll, as of this weekend, predicted that the Cleveland Cavaliers will be the East’s next beasts, and that is indeed a possibility. The Cavs went 64-18 in their first season under coach Kenny Atkinson and are running it back with their core. A few changes/additions around the margins and some serious motivation may be all they need.

    Others undoubtedly in play: The New York Knicks with new coach Mike Brown, the Orlando Magic with finally some outside shooting (Desmond Bane) next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, probably the Milwaukee Bucks assuming Giannis Antetokounmpo stays, and perhaps the surprising and rising Detroit Pistons.

    And hey, maybe this is the year the Philadelphia 76ers finally stay relatively healthy and pull it together. While the Pacers and Boston Celtics are expected to drop, the Atlanta Hawks and maybe even Chicago Bulls could be a surprise. 

    Meanwhile, the Miami Heat likely only need another piece, though that piece won’t be so easy to find. The Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards are probably headed for another season of either aiming for the play-in or draft lottery.

    Out West, you’d have to think the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the season as fairly clear favorites. That playoff defense and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are two big reasons to believe in the possibility of a back-to-back.

    But the competition will be equally as stiff, if not more so. Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves have made two straight appearances in the Western Conference finals and are at some point destined to get over the hump.

    The Houston Rockets landed Kevin Durant, who may have one good run left, and the Denver Nuggets (who gave the Thunder all they could handle) somehow have improved their bench. Oh, and LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers finally got a center in Deandre Ayton.

    Then there are the many others on the fence — the L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies. All already have the look of a team that could make a serious run.

    Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers are your West darkhorses, seemingly not realizing they’re too young to get very far, and the New Orleans Pelicans are the West’s version of the Hawks. It’s hard to say which way they will go, but either wouldn’t be a big surprise.

    Finally, the Sacramento Kings, Suns and Jazz appear to be the three with the most work to do in early July.

    Yes, this is an incredibly early synopsis, as a lot can and will happen before the season even arrives. Never forget that teams have all the way until February to make a trade. The rich can get richer, the lottery squads even worse, and injuries and lousy chemistry change the course of what is expected to be a banner year.

    Basically, no one has ever won a title on paper, and in this version of the NBA, nearly everyone has some sort of hope. Regardless of what happens next, that is where the league is today.

  • Suns, Knicks Interested In Hiring Bucks’ Darvin Ham

    Suns, Knicks Interested In Hiring Bucks’ Darvin Ham

    According to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks are interested in hiring Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham. 

    The Suns hired Jordan Ott after firing Mike Budenholzer, while the Knicks hired Mike Brown after firing Tom Thibodeau. 

    “Phoenix and now New York — after the hiring of Mike Brown as the Knicks’ new head coach — have expressed interest in trying to hire Darvin Ham away from the Bucks, The Stein Line has learned,” Stein wrote. 

    “Yet those would be considered lateral moves for Ham, who is Milwaukee’s top assistant to Doc Rivers. I’m told the Bucks love having Ham back in their midst after his two-season stint as the Lakers’ head coach and are determined to keep him in Brewtown unless he secures another head coaching opportunity elsewhere.”

    Ham went back to the Bucks after getting fired by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. The former NBA player went 90-74 in the regular season and 9-12 in the playoffs with the Lakers. 

    The Suns missed the playoffs last season, while the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals in six games.

    Phoenix traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a seven-team deal, getting Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, the 10th pick in this year’s NBA Draft and five second-round picks. 

    Milwaukee has been busy this offseason, signing Myles Turner away from the Pacers and waiving and stretching Damian Lillard. 

  • Future Of Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Still Seems Up In Air

    Future Of Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Still Seems Up In Air

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, NBA rumors
    File photo

    For now, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are expected to stay together for another run. 

    At the same time, the idea of the Bucks and their biggest star running it back still seems slightly up in the air. Per ESPN’s Ramon Shelburne, nothing is yet set in stone.

    “My sense is just from conversations around the league, I don’t think anything will be decided on his end until August, September, because big deals or anything like that, whether he goes or stays, that kind of decision won’t come until later in the summer,” Shelburne said on ESPN’s NBA Today.

    A report last week indicated Antetokounmpo wasn’t exactly thrilled with how Milwaukee went about waiving the injured Damian Lillard. Regardless, sources have told Hoops Wire that Antetokounmpo appears pleased with the Bucks’ moves since the Lillard decision.

    For instance, the Bucks waived Lillard in part to sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, who becomes the immediate starter in Milwaukee.

    The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

    He made the All-NBA First Team last season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 60.1% from the floor. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He carries career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. 

  • Bucks, Heat Would Have Interest In Signing Bradley Beal If He Gets Bought Out By Suns

    Bucks, Heat Would Have Interest In Signing Bradley Beal If He Gets Bought Out By Suns

    The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat would have interest in signing Bradley Beal if the guard gets bought out by the Phoenix Suns, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. 

    The Suns have been discussing a possible buyout for Beal. 

    “It is often written that a buyout for Beal could land in the $90 million range,” Stein and Fischer wrote. “How precise that media forecast proves remains to be seen, but there is no ambiguity here: The Heat will have interest in signing Beal if he can make it to unrestricted free agency.

    “Sources say both Milwaukee and Miami, in fact, would have interest in signing Beal in that scenario.”

    The Suns acquired Beal from the Washington Wizards in 2023. Beal has appeared in 106 games with Phoenix. He’s averaging 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists. 

    Beal is 32. He has career averages of 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 801 games with the Wizards and Suns. 

    The Heat were swept in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round in five games. 

  • Chris Paul To Sign With Bucks, Clippers Or Suns

    Chris Paul To Sign With Bucks, Clippers Or Suns

    Chris Paul will sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers or Phoenix Suns, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. 

    Paul is an unrestricted free agent. He will not re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs. 

    “Chris Paul has levels of interest from the Clippers, Suns and the Bucks,” Charania said on SportsCenter. “I’m told he had a conversation with Bucks’ officials on Wednesday. He told the Pat McAfee Show several weeks ago that his preference is to stay on the West Coast. He is sorting through options right now. Whether on the West Coast or a team like Milwaukee.”

    Paul appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs last season. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 92.4% from the free-throw line. 

    A 12-time All-Star, Paul has played for the New Orleans Hornets, Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Suns, Golden State Warriors and Spurs. He’s one of the top point guards in NBA history. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Paul has career averages of 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists. He has never won a championship. 

    Paul and the Suns lost to the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals in six games. Phoenix blew a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. 

  • 2025 NBA Free Agent Tracker

    2025 NBA Free Agent Tracker

    Updated list of signed free agents for the 2025 NBA offseason. Contract details and teams listed below. “R” = Restricted Free Agent, “U” = Unrestricted Free Agent.

    2025 NBA Free Agent Tracker

    RELATED | Available free agents by position

  • Bucks Waive Chris Livingston

    Bucks Waive Chris Livingston

    Chris Livingston, NBA, Bucks
    Chris Livingston of the Bucks drives to the basket.

    The Milwaukee Bucks have waived second-year small forward Chris Livingston, who has spent the majority of his first two seasons in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd.

    Livingston, 21, is a native of Akron, Ohio, and played high school basketball at Buchtel High School and Western Reserve Academy, as well as Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. He entered the draft after one season at Kentucky, selected by the Bucks with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

    Appearing in 21 games with Milwaukee in each of the past two seasons, Livingston carries career averages of 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 40.8% shooting.

    He fared well with the Herd this past season, compiling averages of 18.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 18 games.

    Livingston is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. He had had two years left on the deal he signed with the Bucks in 2023 — but his $2.2 million of it was non-guaranteed, provided he was waived before July 16.

    For the Bucks, the move will create a little extra space under the salary cap after the signing of former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

    MORE NBA | Remaining 2025 free agents by position

  • Knicks, Clippers, Bucks, Pacers, Cavaliers, Nuggets Were Interested In Deandre Ayton

    Knicks, Clippers, Bucks, Pacers, Cavaliers, Nuggets Were Interested In Deandre Ayton

    Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

    Between the Portland Trail Blazers and Lakers, Ayton will make $34 million next season. 

    According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets were interested in Ayton. 

    In 40 games for the Trail Blazers last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 56.6% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line. 

    Ayton has career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds. He helped the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021.  

    “Multiple teams reached out to Blazers general manager Joe Cronin to conduct background on Ayton and received strong reviews surrounding Ayton’s leadership and mentoring of big men such as Donovan Clingan,” Charania wrote. 

    The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. They didn’t have a center to contain Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid. 

    Los Angeles is projected to start Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Ayton next season under second-year head coach JJ Redick. 

  • Damian Lillard ‘Had To Actively Try To Make Sure He Wasn’t Miserable’ With Bucks

    Damian Lillard ‘Had To Actively Try To Make Sure He Wasn’t Miserable’ With Bucks

    Damian Lillard “had to actively try to make sure he wasn’t miserable” with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

    Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023 and wanted to get traded to the Miami Heat. 

    However, the Trail Blazers traded the future Hall of Famer to the Bucks. 

    Lillard is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career after getting waived and stretched by the Bucks. 

    Lillard, who is expected to miss most of next season because of a torn left Achilles tendon, was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons. That amount will be stretched over the next five seasons.

    Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers.  

    Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

    Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in a Milwaukee uniform. He has drawn interest from several teams since hitting the open market, most notably the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. 

    “Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke,” Eric Nehm, Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported. “League sources say the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later.”

  • Report: Myles Turner Bolted For Bucks After Pacers Wouldn’t Budge From Offer

    Report: Myles Turner Bolted For Bucks After Pacers Wouldn’t Budge From Offer

    Myles Turner, Pacers, NBA
    Pacers center Myles Turner drives to the basket vs. the Thunder in the NBA Finals. (Imagn)

    In perhaps the most surprising move of this NBA free agency season, center Myles Turner bolted the Indiana Pacers for the Milwaukee Bucks — less than a month after the Pacers reached the Finals.

    The reason, it seems, came down to dollars. As it so often does.

    Turner’s deal with the Bucks is reportedly for four years and $107 million. That’s compared to the Pacers’ offer of three years and $22 million annually, per an exclusive report from Spencer Davies of RG.org.

    “According to a league source who spoke to RG, the Pacers were unwilling to offer Turner more than four years or $22 million annually,” Davies wrote. “RG has learned that Turner would have stayed in Indiana for $25 million per year, but the organization wouldn’t budge on the amount, offering a three-year, $66 million contract. No player option was offered for a fourth year.”

    Turner spent 10 seasons with the Pacers and was often the subject of trade rumors. He helped Indiana make its first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years (and second of all time), before losing in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder this past season.

    So, yeah, the move to Milwaukee came as a major surprise. But as Davies reported, it was an offer he couldn’t reject.

    “Milwaukee was willing to go four years for $107 million on a contract, but a player option in the final season and a 15% trade kicker were what sealed the deal for Turner,” Davies wrote. “Everything came together quickly, and it was as much of a surprise to Pacers fans and the basketball world as it was to Turner’s camp.”

    Turner, 29, played in 72 games for the Pacers last season, averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field, 39.6% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free-throw line. 

    “Myles’ head is in a good place,” a source told Davies of the move to the Bucks.

    Milwaukee waived star guard Damian Lillard while signing Turner. Lillard suffered a major Achilles injury in the playoffs against the Pacers.

    MORE NBA | Remaining 2025 free agents by position

  • Bucks Make Several Moves Around Margins After Myles Turner Addition

    Bucks Make Several Moves Around Margins After Myles Turner Addition

    Jericho Sims, Bucks, NBA
    The Bucks are bringing back Jericho Sims in what has been a busy offseason.

    The Milwaukee Bucks are stealing all the headlines after signing center Myles Turner and waiving All-Star guard Damian Lillard. But they haven’t stopped there.

    Instead, the Bucks also made several moves around the edges of the roster on the second day of free agency — following a couple of moves on the first day.

    On Tuesday, Milwaukee also traded wing Pat Connaughton and two second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets for guard Vasilije Micic, and agreed to likely minimum deals with reserve center Jericho Sims and guard/forward Gary Harris Jr.

    All of the moves, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, were made to hang on to All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and put the Bucks into serious contention. Time will tell if it works. And hey, there could always be more moves on the way.

    Connaughton, 32, has the past seven seasons in Milwaukee. But he averaged just 5.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 41 appearances last season, barely playing in the first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers.

    Sims, 26, ended last season with the Bucks after being acquired from the New York Knicks at the trade deadline in February. He appeared in 14 games with Milwaukee and should serve as a solid backup to Turner.

    Harris, 30, is your typical NBA veteran and has spent the past four-plus seasons with the Orlando Magic after nearly seven with the Denver Nuggets. He fell out of Orlando’s regular rotation last season, so it will be interesting to see if he has anything left.

    The Bucks could certainly use the help at guard. As of this moment, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. are likely slotted in as the starters.

    That said, more moves could be on the way in Milwaukee. If there’s anything we’re learning about this offseason, it is that.

  • Damian Lillard ‘Elated’ Bucks Waived Him

    Damian Lillard ‘Elated’ Bucks Waived Him

    Damian Lillard is “elated” the Milwaukee Bucks waived and stretched him. 

    Lillard, who is expected to miss most of next season because of a torn left Achilles tendon, was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons.

    That amount will now be stretched over the next five seasons.

    “League sources say Lillard is elated with this decision, as it puts him in the kind of basketball-first position that few All-Star level players, if any, have experienced in league history,” Sam Amick of The Athletic. “In short, he’ll be able to join the contending team of his choosing, either sometime soon or perhaps next summer, without the financial aspect of the decision playing a significant part.

    “With Lillard owed $54.1 million for this coming season and $58.4 million in the 2026-27 campaign, there is a salary offset for any team that acquires him during that two-year period. And while the Bucks would surely prefer that Lillard sign for a significant salary as a way to alleviate some of their financial burden, the reality is that he could sign for a minimum-salary deal and still be paid the same amount. That’s a powerful place to be when you’re a future Hall of Famer in your mid-30s who has never won a championship.

    “Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams very quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke. The question now is whether he wants to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under their care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation. All in all, it’s a dream scenario for Lillard. Especially considering he might have been heading for a change of scenery even before his injury.”

    Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

    Lillard has played for the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.

  • Damian Lillard ‘Surprised’ Bucks Waived Him, Had No Idea This Would Happen

    Damian Lillard ‘Surprised’ Bucks Waived Him, Had No Idea This Would Happen

    Damian Lillard is “surprised” the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. 

    The veteran guard had no idea this would happen. 

    Lillard could miss all of next season recovering from his left Achilles tendon tear. 

    The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in a Milwaukee uniform. 

    Milwaukee lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 playoffs. 

    Lillard has played for the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.

    A future Hall of Famer, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Blazers. 

    For the first time in his career, Lillard is an unrestricted free agent. He wanted to get traded to the Miami Heat in 2023. 

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Not Pleased’ Bucks Waived Damian Lillard

    Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Not Pleased’ Bucks Waived Damian Lillard

    Giannis Antetokounmpo is “not pleased” the Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard. 

    The Bucks waived and stretched Lillard to sign Myles Turner. 

    Lillard could miss all of next season recovering from his left Achilles tear. 

    The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in a Milwaukee uniform. 

    Milwaukee lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 playoffs. 

    Lillard has played for the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The Oakland native has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Blazers. 

    The Bucks have won just one postseason series since winning the 2021 title against the Phoenix Suns in six games. 

    Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed The Greek Freak to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

    Antetokounmpo made the All-NBA First Team last season. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 60.1% from the floor. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. 

    Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets in trade rumors. The Bucks will not trade Antetokounmpo unless he requests a trade.