Bucks Signing Named the Worst Offseason Move in the NBA

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 19: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks have been a massive disappointment this season. Before the year started, they were hoping to have a chance at winning the championship in a weakened Eastern Conference. Instead, the exact opposite has happened.

Milwaukee sits 11th in the Eastern Conference standings and is very unlikely to make the play-in. Giannis Antetokounmpo has only played 36 games this season, and the team wants to shut him down. Everything they did to build the team around him did not work this summer.

Over the summer, the Bucks decided to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard. That move is now looked at as the worst move any team made in the offseason.

Bucks Getting Rid of Damian Lillard Names Worst Offseason Move

According to ESPN’s Zach Kram, the move to waive Lillard and sign Myles Turner was named as the worst offseason move of the year. Turner was signed to a four-year deal worth $108.9 million. That move looks bad with the money they owe Lillard, but it is even worse now with how badly Turner has played.

All of Turner’s stats are down from last season when he was with the Pacers. Now, the Bucks are going to be a lottery team. Now, the Bucks have to pay $22.5 million over the next five years to Lillard for him not to play for the team. That will inhibit their ability to find good players in free agency.

Antetokounmpo was supposed to fit well with Turner, who is the prototypical stretch five who can also protect the rim. They brought Turner in to be a better version of Brook Lopez. Instead, the move has not worked out well, with Lopez likely making the playoffs with the Clippers.

This was a risk when the Bucks decided to make this move to stretch Lillard. With Lillard getting set to return next year, and Turner playing so poorly, this move could not have worked out worse for Jon Horst and the front office.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Might Not Return to Milwaukee

Antetokounmpo was almost moved at the trade deadline. He and his agent were trying to figure out what was best for his future. Antetokounmpo ultimately decided he wanted to stay in Milwaukee for the rest of the season. Injuries have kept him from playing his best with the team.

So far this year, Antetokounmpo has only played in 36 games. The team wants to shut him down, but he wants to keep playing. Antetokounmpo is currently nursing another injury, but he should be able to return soon. Yet, Milwaukee doesn’t want him to keep getting hurt, which would reduce his trade value.

If Milwaukee does move Antetokounmpo, there’s a chance that Turner would be the highest-paid player on the roster. He is not good enough to be considered the highest-paid player on any roster, so the Bucks need to get a strong return for Antetokounmpo if they move him.

This year, the Bucks have the seventh-worst offense in the league. Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks haven’t been able to create enough open shots for others, including Turner.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA and College Football for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano