"The Bucks did recently go out there to Portland to meet with Dame, but they did not tell Dame that this was coming. He had no clue about that, as well," Haynes said.

With the Bucks paying Dame every penny of the $113 million that is owed him in the final two years of his contract, Lillard can play literally for free for anybody during the 2026-27 campaign.

According to ESPN, the Bucks signed Turner to a 4-year, $107 million deal while stretching Dame's $113 million over 5 years. Lillard had 2 years and $113 million left on his contract.