Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has made headlines again.
In response to the Bucks’ surprising decision to waive Lillard in July 2025, Goodwin blamed the team’s system for Lillard’s underwhelming tenure in Milwaukee, which resulted in two straight first-round exits to the Pacers.
“He never really had a chance to play as he has played the primary 12 years of his profession,” Goodwin said to ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “He played to win within the system that he was in.”
Lillard was traded to the Bucks ahead of the 2023-24 season after a profession 12 months in Portland and an overall sensational tenure in Portland.
The nine-time All-Star saw his scoring drop from 32.2 points per game to a combined 24.6 points per contest in Milwaukee.
Lillard’s shooting splits were 46/37/91 in that 2022-23 campaign and fell to 43/36/92 in Milwaukee.
He ruptured his Achilles in the course of the Bucks first-round loss to the Pacers, which is able to likely sideline him for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Lillard later decided to return to Portland, signing a three-year deal value over $40 million.
While many were shocked by the move, Goodwin framed it in a more positive light, highlighting it as an “incredible opportunity” for the star guard.
The Bucks made the choice to release Lillard after signing ex-Pacers center Myles Turner to a surprising four-year deal value roughly $109 million.
The Bucks removed Lillard’s deal using the waive and stretch provision as a way to create room for Turner.
Lillard will still receive his guaranteed $113 million, which incorporates all the cash owed for the rest of his initial Bucks contract, but as a substitute of receiving it over two years, he’ll get it over the subsequent five.
He’ll then receive his latest Trail Blazers money on top of that.
