Although the breakup is not decent, there is no need to say sorry

Late at night on July 1, the already lively NBA free market added another bombshell: the Bucks cut Damian Lillard with extended terms. Currently, Lillard has two years left in the contract, worth $113 million. The Bucks will pay the remaining salary in five seasons, with an average of about $22.5 million per season.

This is the largest extended use clause case in the history of the NBA. It is inevitable that the situation where the 75-year-old superstar ended up being laid off. But facing the turbulent Eastern Conference situation next season, the pragmatic Bucks quickly reorganized their lineup around Antetokounmpo, not only to seize the championship window, but also to appease the superstar who has shaken his beliefs. A drastic change in the pattern triggered by injuries is prompting the Bucks to make a major choice.

Feng Zihan reported that unbinding is good for each other

Lillard last season was a tragic fate. In March, he missed 15 regular season games due to deep vein thrombosis in the calf. He made a forced comeback in the second game of the first round of the playoffs. In the fourth game, he was injured and left the game without a confrontation in the first quarter. He was then diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon. Throughout the playoffs, Lillard was in extremely poor condition due to injury: he played in 3 games and averaged only 7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

On the other hand, Lillard is about to turn 35 and will be 36 when he returns to health. Moreover, his playing style is very dependent on explosive power, which is significantly affected by Achilles tendon injury, and he has the risk of a permanent decline in athletic ability after his comeback.

The Bucks can't afford to wait for Lillard, and they dare not bet that he can return with full health. The management finally chose to solve the problem in the most commercial and "cold-blooded" way: let Lillard take the money and leave.

However, if this money is paid in one lump sum, it will be difficult for the Bucks to have a salary margin. Therefore, using extended terms is the optimal solution.

Extended clause can be regarded as the "installment payment version" of the players. If the layoffs occur from July 1 to August 31, they can be paid in equal amounts in "2X+1" years. "X" is the remaining contract period for the player when the layoffs are made. Lillard has two years left to fully guarantee the contract, with a salary of $54 million and $59 million respectively. With the extended terms, the Bucks will pay in five years (2×2+1=5), with about $22.6 million per year.

In this way, in the new season and next season, the Bucks have created a salary gap of about $30 million, reducing the pressure on the salary cap and not using future draft assets.

Although the "breakup" method between the two parties is not decent, it is good for each other. The Bucks share the cost, and Lillard outweighs the disadvantages: he not only received the full salary of the current contract, but also was able to recover with peace of mind, and he could also choose a championship team to join after he recovered from injury in 2026. This is simply a perfect script for him. No wonder some media reports that Lillard was "ecstatic" about this development.

Everyone has their own ideas in the "chaotic times"

This year's playoffs, the stars of the Eastern Conference team encountered an unprecedented wave of serious injuries. In the fourth game of the semi-finals, the Celtics leader Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right foot. In the third game of the Eastern Conference Finals, Pacers main player Halliburton first had a second-degree strain on his right calf, and then suffered a compensatory tear of the Achilles tendon in the finals tiebreak.

Tatum and Halliburton are both expected to recover from 9-12 months, and are likely to miss the 2025-2026 season. This means that their respective teams will change their strategies and the East will also enter a "chaotic world".

The Celtics chose to reshuffle due to Tatum's injury and reduce expenses. They sold a large number of players on the team and then withdrew from the championship competition. Holiday, the 2024 champion, was sent to the Trail Blazers, and then Porzingis went to the Hawks in a three-party transaction. The Celtics have successively cleared two large contracts with an annual salary of $30 million, reducing the luxury tax of $238 million. The team's salary has now been reduced to below the second luxury tax.

Pacers took the initiative to let center Turner go. Because once they give Turner four years and $120 million to renew his contract, the team will break through the luxury tax line. In next season, which is destined to be difficult to splash, there is no hope for the championship. The Pacers hope to reduce costs as much as possible and wait for Halliburton to return.

The East has lost two strong competitors at once, and other teams are bound to be eyeing each other.

From the magic to Bain, the arms race in the east has become increasingly hot. The Hawks attract Porzingis and others to fight, and build a new lineup that combines space and defense around Trae Young; Yabulais went to the Knicks, and Clarkson joined only the official announcement... Against the backdrop of the injury bonus of Tatum and Halliburton, the Bucks naturally want to get a share.

The star Antetokounmpo was still in a state of explosive last season and was selected for the Best Team. He is Milwaukee's basic strength. But Lillard's injury history and aging have made the Bucks lose confidence in his future. The management obviously does not want to waste Antetokounmpo's peak period. Next season is their excellent opportunity to compete for the championship. It is important to miss the opportunity and never come again.

Everything is for Antetokounmpo?

The Bucks cherish Antetokounmpo's strength, and on the other hand, they are even more afraid that the latter will apply for a deal and want to leave.

Just after the Bucks' season, rumors that Antetokounmpo may change his team this offseason were rampant. The Knicks, Heat, Spurs and Warriors all intend to introduce this superstar who has won two MVPs.

Therefore, the team management must find enough high-quality helpers for Antetokounmpo as soon as possible to stabilize the morale of the star. In the end, they gave up Lillard so that there was enough salary space to strengthen now.

After cutting Lillard, the Bucks withdrew Rollins' qualification offer, sent out Lopez, and quickly signed Turner for 4 years of $107 million, giving a clear attitude towards building a team around Antetokounmpo's restructuring of the five-for-one lineup..

At the same time, a series of signings and transactions followed: 3 years, 44 million yuan renewal Portis, 2 years, 11 million yuan renewal Kevin Porter Jr., 2 years, 7.1 million yuan renewal Prince, 2 years, 7.5 million yuan signed Trent, 2 years, 2 years, Gary Harris signed, and 2 years contract signed, 2 years contract signed, and 2 years contract signed, 2 years contract signed, Gary Harris, exchanged Connaughton and the next two second round picks from the Hornets for Micic, and 2 years contract renewal Sims.

But the Bucks have been busy for a long time and have not fully felt at ease. The latter will continue to evaluate the team and the Eastern Conference situation throughout the offseason. "If Antetokounmpo thinks the Bucks can't compete for the championship, he may still decide to ask for a trade at the end of the offseason," said ESPN's famous reporter Charania.

In fact, Antetokounmpo's concerns are not unreasonable. Although the Bucks' off-season operation is worthy of recognition in terms of creativity and courage, if the lineup cannot be further upgraded, this team is still far from the championship.

Turner can be regarded as the "young version of Daluo". A center forward who can protect the basket, reduce Antetokounmpo's defensive pressure, open up space and improve offensive efficiency is definitely the best candidate for the Bucks. But wing forwards Kyle Kuzma and Torian Prince are almost invisible in the series against the Pacers, scoring only 35 points in five games and shooting percentage is only a pitiful 31%, and the Bucks have not yet strengthened this shortcoming.