If Lopez is re-signed, Milwaukee doesn’t have many realistic options to get under the tax. If he enters free agency, the Bucks can easily avoid it. Sources said the franchise is prepared to once again enter the tax after spending more than $200 million in luxury tax alone over the past few seasons — more than every team but the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns since 2012, per Spotrac. Rival teams suspect the Bucks to end up in the tax but keep their payroll below the $196 million first apron, which would open their ability to access more of the $14 million midlevel exception. They might need a large chunk of it for a starting point guard in place of Lillard, with the candidates including free agents such as Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones and Malcolm Brogdon. -via ESPN / June 13, 2025
