One of the most talked-about franchises in NBA free agency right now are the Milwaukee Bucks—not because of who they are signing, but because of who they may be preparing to lose. Damian Lillard’s departure has stirred speculation across the league, and a recent roster move is only adding fuel to the fire.
According to Shams Charania via X (formerly Twitter), the Bucks have secured the return of guard Ryan Rollins. “Free agent guard Ryan Rollins has agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, with a player option in the third season,” reported agents Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports to ESPN.
Milwaukee initially extended Rollins a $2.6 million qualifying offer on June 29, making him a restricted free agent. That move gave the Bucks the right to match any competing offers.
However, once free agency began, the team rescinded the offer to create salary cap space for center Myles Turner. Rollins, despite recovering from left shoulder surgery, had impressed early in the season with his athleticism and shooting touch—hitting 40.8% from beyond the arc and providing energy on both ends. The timing of this signing raises eyebrows as the Bucks appear to be reinforcing the backcourt in anticipation of Lillard’s exit.
What’s next for Lillard in Milwaukee?
For now, both Lillard and the Bucks remain in limbo. Milwaukee made headlines earlier this week by unexpectedly preparing to move on from the All-Star guard—a decision that surprised much of the NBA community. Multiple reports suggest that internal disagreements about Lillard’s rehab process played a major role. The veteran guard, recovering from an Achilles injury, reportedly requested to complete his rehab in Portland to stay close to his family—something the Bucks’ front office hesitated to approve.
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NBA insider Chris Haynes shared more context during a segment on NBA TV, revealing that Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, had formally communicated the player’s preference. “I was told some within the Bucks organization didn’t support that request, and there was a bit of a tug-of-war at that point,” Haynes reported, emphasizing the tension between Lillard’s camp and Milwaukee’s management.
Adding to the uncertainty, the Bucks also face the looming question of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. If Milwaukee loses both Lillard and Giannis, they risk entering a complete rebuild—an outcome that would have been unthinkable just a year ago. The next few weeks could determine the NBA franchise’s direction for years to come.
