Damien Lillard has plenty of time to secure a move to the next NBA team after leaving the Milwaukee Bucks.
When Damien Lillard was traded with the Milwaukee Bucks, he was expected to help the team win the NBA Championship along with Giannis Antetocomo.
However, just two years after his arrival in Milwaukee, the veteran security guard was abandoned by the Bucks. Lillard has become an unlimited free agent as the Bucks have grown by $113 million over the next five years.
Dame is already 34 years old, but the 9x NBA All-Star reportedly has attracted a lot of attention from teams in the league.
Signing to players in Lillard’s caliber is not a daily opportunity. Patrick Beverly already floats the Golden State Warriors as his next destination at the dam.
But who else is at Lillard’s sweepstakes? According to Athletic’s Eric Name, Sam Amick and Joe Valdon, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics reached out to Lillard.
“The Warriors, Celtics and Lakers are one of those teams interested in delaying their deal with Damien Lillard,” Athletic reported on the X.
These teams want to get the deal as soon as possible, but Lillard’s attitude is yet to be determined.
“Lillard received immediate calls from several competing teams after news that his Bucks ending had broken.
“The question is whether he wants to sign the team now and do rehabilitation while he is caring for them, or whether he will wait until the next summer to reassess the situation,” the report further stated.
For context, Lillard tore the Achilles heel in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs between the Bucks and the Indiana Pacers.
If Lillard signs with the Warriors, it’s clear that the team wants him on the backcourt alongside Stephen Curry.
But it’s the Lakers or Celtics, and the dome may have to give a special idea before signing the dotted line. After all, he can spend time rehabilitating one of them.
First of all, the Celtics barely managed to reach the second apron after trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Signum can let them go beyond that scary apron, even if Lillard cuts his salary.
The Boston Celtics start 5 |
Derrick White |
Damian Lillard (injured) |
Jalen Brown |
Jason Tatum (injured) |
Garza Gap |
Meanwhile, Lillard was able to fit much better with La Lakers, even if it took him a while to return to court.
The Los Angeles Lakers start 5 |
Damian Lillard |
Luka Donsic |
Rui Hachimura |
LeBron James |
Maxi adhesive |
Additionally, the Lakers with Austin can get off the bench and add high-quality centers like Deandre Ayton, seducing Lillard even more, joining the iconic NBA franchise in a short way, and ultimately win the NBA championship.