![\"Giannis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2212978574-940x627.jpg\")
Photo by Justin Casterline\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Bucks are doing everything in their power to show Antetokounmpo<\/a> that they can compete. They signed NBA Finalist Myles Turner<\/a> after waiving Damian Lillard<\/a> in an attempt to put some talent around their two-time MVP. <\/p>\n But in case of an emergency, the Bucks had one final trick up their sleeve to stop Antetokounmpo from leaving. Those plans were scuppered by Lillard, however. <\/p>\n The Milwaukee Bucks planned to trade Damian Lillard before his injury<\/p>\n The Bucks knew they were in dire need of another star to pair alongside Antetokounmpo. That was supposed to be Lillard, but his persistent injury issues<\/a> prevented the Bucks from competing in the postseason. <\/p>\n Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf in March, which cast doubt over his playoff availability once again. That forced the Bucks to consider trading the nine-time All-Star.<\/p>\n Jamal Collier of ESPN<\/a> wrote, \u201cThe Bucks\u2019 offseason could have taken different paths had Lillard stayed healthy \u2014 from tinkering around the margins of the roster to add a new starting center to complement a growing relationship between Lillard and Antetokounmpo or potentially trading Lillard. <\/p>\n \u201cThat was a last-ditch strategy, a source told ESPN, the team could have explored in an effort to find another star to pair with Antetokounmpo.\u201d<\/p>\n Lillard\u2019s Achilles tear<\/a> in the playoffs halted those plans, which tanked his trade value. The Bucks instead waived him before the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> signed him back. <\/p>\n The Milwaukee Bucks are out of moves to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo <\/p>\n Lillard was the Bucks\u2019 ace in the hole. Not only were they not able to trade him, waiving and stretching the point guard\u2019s contract means Lillard\u2019s salary<\/a> will count against their salary cap for the next five years.<\/p>\n Milwaukee sold their entire future to keep their star. They traded Jrue Holiday<\/a> for Lillard and Khris Middleton<\/a> for Kyle Kuzma<\/a>, shipping their championship-winning core in order to rebuild their roster on the go. <\/p>\n