Damian Lillard responds to report claiming Giannis Antetokounmpo knew about Myles Turner trade ahead of time

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on Tuesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo was "not pleased” with the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to waive Damian Lillard. The Bucks shocked the basketball world by letting Lillard go to sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Antetokounmpo knew about the Turner acquisition but was unsure if the two-time MVP had any knowledge about the Bucks waiving Lillard.

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The point guard responded to the comments from Shelburne with a GIF:

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In the clip used by Lillard to respond, Jack Black didn't say anything. The actor only repeatedly nodded his head while smirking. What the superstar point guard meant with that GIF is anybody’s guess.

Damian Lillard arrived in Milwaukee in the summer of 2023 after the Bucks had traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Dame Time. In two seasons, Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Together with Giannis Antetokounmpo, they formed the highest-scoring duo in the NBA.

However, the Antetokoummpo-Lillard duo shared the court in only 29:28 playoff minutes. In 2024, the "Greek Freak" couldn't play because of a calf strain. This season, Lillard played only in Games 2, 3 and 4 against the Indiana Pacers before tearing his ACL.

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After another first-round exit, the Milwaukee Bucks broke up the superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard pairing. They retooled the roster by waiving the point guard to clear salary cap space for Myles Turner.

Fans react to Damian Lillard’s reaction about Giannis Antetokounmpo knowing Myles Turner’s signing

The basketball world is still reeling from the shocking news of the Milwaukee Bucks waiving Damian Lillard. With all eyes waiting for Lillard to say something following the Bucks’ decision to cut ties with him, fans reacted to his latest X post:

One said:

Another added:

One wrote:

Another reacted:

Most fans who reacted are convinced that Giannis Antetokounmpo knew about the Milwaukee Bucks’ plan to waive Lillard and sign Myles Turner. Many are waiting for the two-time MVP to say something following the Bucks’ shock decision to let Lillard go for nothing.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

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Edited by Michael Macasero