It was evident from the team\u2019s back-to-back first-round exits in the postseason. The Bucks moved on from Dame in favor of former Indiana Pacers<\/a> star Myles Turner<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, many believe that waiving Lillard was a poor decision as it could ultimately lead to Antetokounmpo departing as well.<\/p>\n While Lillard\u2019s return to the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> is a heartwarming development, the Bucks have to burden huge financial liabilities due to their decision.<\/p>\n After all, Lillard will receive around $22m annually over the next five years due to the Bucks waiving his contract.<\/p>\n Now, having more than $20m in dead cap space each year is a huge handicap, especially for a team with a superstar of Antetokounmpo\u2019s caliber in the prime of his career.<\/p>\n \u201cIt boggles my mind that Milwaukee has made these moves without Giannis already having bought in,\u201d David Dennis Jr. said on ESPN\u2019s First Take. <\/p>\n \u201cIf they have made the moves to stretch Dame Lillard and put those $20 million on their cap for the next few years to pay Myles Turner and put that on their cap, and Giannis has not already agreed, this could go down as one of the most fiscally irresponsible moves in the NBA in the last 20 or 25 years,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n While Turner is a talented player, it\u2019s unlikely that just his addition will help the Bucks win an NBA title. So, when the time comes to add more talent around Giannis, the Bucks could regret their decision to waive Dame.<\/p>\n Milwaukee Bucks took a big risk, says David Dennis Jr.<\/p>\n Throughout the offseason, Antetokounmpo\u2019s name remained a mainstay in NBA trade rumors. In addition, there have been reports about Giannis not completely sold<\/a> on the Bucks\u2019 current roster.<\/p>\n In that case, what Dennis Jr. said makes sense as he pointed out the huge risk that the Bucks have taken.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I would hope there have been some discussions for Giannis to be a part of this team. If that\u2019s not the case, it\u2019s one of the biggest risks that I could imagine a team making,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n![\"Damian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/generated-image-25-1115x627.jpg\")
Credit: Tim Nwachukwu\/Getty ImagesDavid Dennis Jr. questions the Milwaukee Bucks\u2019 front office\u2019s financial decisions<\/p>\n