Why The Milwaukee Bucks Used The Stretch Provision On Damian Lillard

SportsMoneyWhy The Milwaukee Bucks Used The Stretch vision On Damian LillardByShane Young, Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

Shane Young is a National NBA writer based in Phoenix, AZ

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 John Fisher/Getty Images)Getty Images In perhaps the most shocking maneuver of the last few years of NBA transactions, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to part ways with star point guard Damian Lillard, currently in the early stages of his rehab from a torn Achilles tendon

But instead of finding a trade partner for Lillard, they took an unconventional route by utilizing the NBA’s Stretch vision, which allows a franchise to spread a player’s salary cap hit over multiple seasons

It’s a method that gives teams short-term cap relief by reducing the yearly amount owed to a player with a high salary

The consequence, of course, is that it elongates the duration of the contract, which is considered ‘dead money’ because the player is no longer with the team

That’s a steep price for a player they weren’t expecting back on the floor next season

Since he tore his Achilles on April 27, there’s little to no chance he’d be in uniform before next year’s playoffs

The reason it’s a five-year stretch is based on the formula for all Stretch visions in the current CBA

You take the number years remaining on the contract (two for Lillard), double it, and then add one

MORE FOR YOU This automatically becomes the most expensive waive-and-stretch in NBA history – and it’s not even close

In certain respects, this type of move is considered a death sentence for front offices because of how much of a limitation it puts on your long-term vision for attracting free agents

But as it turns out, this was a necessary move considering Milwaukee’s goal was to field a competitive team next season

Particularly in the Eastern Conference, where the window continues to widen because of nightmare injuries, free agency departures, and puzzling decisions to fire head coaches (looking at you, Knicks)

Milwaukee’s incentive to alleviate cap room this summer was quickly revealed, as they lured free agent center Myles Turner away from the Pacers

Turner agreed to terms with the Bucks on a four-year, $107 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Myles

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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Getty Images Myles Turner Replenishes Milwaukee’s Center Void After losing long-time center Brook Lopez for nothing, the Bucks are now on the receiving end of the Indiana Pacers watching their big man walk

Turner, fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, was seeking a new lucrative contract with the Pacers after spending the first decade of his career with the franchise

Through all of the personnel changes, head coaching swaps, and trade rumors, he was the lone mainstay

From the Paul George era, to the brief Victor Oladipo stint, to the rise of Tyrese Haliburton, Turner stuck with Indiana and believed in the vision

However, he became a casualty of Pacers owner Herb Simon trying to avoid the luxury tax – yet again

Indiana reportedly didn’t budge on their offer in the range of three years, $60 million guaranteed

Understandably, Turner walked

And now he gets to bring a similar skill-set to Milwaukee that Lopez offered

The only difference is that Turner is eight years younger, vastly more athletic, and still imving in certain areas

Last season, Lopez and Turner were first and second, respectively, in the total number of shots def at the rim

Lillard Can Dictate His Own Terms For Lillard, this waive-and-stretch vision is arguably the best-case scenario when you factor in the uphill battle he’s facing from a recovery standpoint

While he would prefer to be competing for a title with Antetokounmpo, it wasn’t a realistic scenario given the Bucks’ reality

There was no easy solution for the Bucks front office

They felt as if they couldn’t afford to wait, or bet on an aging point guard trying to come back from an injury that often causes Father Time to creep up faster than normal

Achilles ruptures are devastating for everyone in sports, but especially when it involves a player who’s to hit age 35 and a franchise that’s trying to salvage their relationship with a generational megastar Antetokounmpo

Lillard can now choose one of two paths

He can sign with a team after ing waivers, opting to rehab with that franchise’s medical staff and get acclimated with his new teammates during the cess

Or, he could let the summer play out, and delay his free agency decision as long as he chooses

Either way, it’s a win-win for Lillard

By getting waived, he can finish his career in any way he desires

Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, mentioned in a statement that Dame’s focus will be staying close to his family during his rehab cess

He also hinted that choosing his next team won’t be an immediate decision for Lillard, as he’ll take some time to evaluate his options: While it’s not exactly the easiest pill for the Bucks to swallow, and Antetokounmpo is reportedly not pleased with how the situation was handled, Milwaukee had to choose a path that would keep them in contention

They essentially had to take the lesser of two evils

By finding a creative way to steal Turner in free agency and some cap room, this was the only route that could keep them in the hunt for a top seed

To avoid a significant drought that again, the first step is ensuring Antetokounmpo doesn’t lose faith in the organization

They are hoping this move illustrates they are still willing to be aggressive to keep building around the edges, even if it means paying steep penalties to do so

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