I saw that Carmelo Anthony tweeted when Dame got cut implying that the Bucks were an example of lacking loyalty. Carmelo's biggest problem is that he's just a dumb person.
Lillard made his money and gets to recover and rehab at home. The Bucks were being generous to Dame.
Supposedly he was seriously considering signing with the T-Wolves but ultimately decided to return to Portland. That would have been a fascinating addition, although I don’t know that he would have gotten them closer to breaking through.