Damian Lillard 'Elated' To Be Waived By Bucks, Already Receiving Calls From Contending Teams

[RealGM Wiretap]

Damian Lillard is "elated" with the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to use the waive-and-stretch provision on his $54.1 million contract for the 2025-26 season and $58.4 million for 2026-27, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic. Lillard will have the opportunity to choose his next team after he was traded to the Bucks in 2023 despite strongly preferring a move to the Miami Heat.

Lillard could sign for a minimum salary either sometime soon or next offseason, which will open up virtually any team of his choosing.

Lillard received calls from several contending teams shortly after news broke of the Bucks' decision. Lillard must decide whether he wants to sign now and rehabilitate under his new team's care, or wait until next offseason to reassess the situation. Lillard is rehabilitating his torn Achilles. 

Even if Lillard hadn't been injured in the playoffs, he and the Bucks were going to discuss a potential exit this offseason. Lillard had some on-court fit issues and also struggled with being away from his children. 

Via Sam Amick/The Athletic

[Barcs]

Contending teams are going to sign a guy that will miss the vast majority of the season?

[Iverson Armband]

Contending teams are going to trade for a guy that will miss the vast majority of the season?

You have to be on a team to get traded for.

[TheCage4]

Does he go to a contender and stay away from his family, or does he go back to Portland and help mentor the young Blazers?

[ecuhus1981]

I could be wrong, I believe that teams above the 1st luxury tax apron cannot sign players who were bought out in the same league calendar season, if they made more than the MLE. So, that may rule out Lillard for a bunch of contenders.

[pushfloater]

Might as well wait

[WuriderX]

Dude is going to miss the entire regular season

[SkyBill40]

Does he go to a contender and stay away from his family, or does he go back to Portland and help mentor the young Blazers?

He said "contending" and POR is decidedly not that. I don't see him going back there and would be hugely surprised if he did.

[Darthlukey]

I could be wrong, I believe that teams above the 1st luxury tax apron cannot sign players who were bought out in the same league calendar season, if they made more than the MLE. So, that may rule out Lillard for a bunch of contenders.

From what I read, that only applies mid season, not in the offseason, though I'm not a cap guy so not sure

[CJTURT]

90% of Bucks fans are Elated he’s gone.

[TimeisIllmatic]

I would be elated too if I am walking away with 100 mil guaranteed.

[Salty1]

Go Home!

[Twinkie defense]

He's from Oakland. Warriors have the premier medical staff in the League. He should come to the Bay, rehab, get on the court for the playoffs with Steph, Jimmy, and his guy Draymond.

[Twinkie defense]

Contending teams are going to sign a guy that will miss the vast majority of the season?

Teams that had no chance of getting Lillard now have a chance to get him, and not even have to give anything up or spend a lot of money. He'll be back. Many teams pay players a lot more than what Lillard will make to sit out most or all of the season. Warriors paid Klay $75 mil to sit out for two seasons.

[MitchB3]

Contending teams are going to trade for a guy that will miss the vast majority of the season?

You have to be on a team to get traded for.

What?

[MitchB3]

Contending teams are going to sign a guy that will miss the vast majority of the season?

Teams that had no chance of getting Lillard now have a chance to get him, and not even have to give anything up or spend a lot of money. He'll be back. Many teams pay players a lot more than what Lillard will make to sit out most or all of the season. Warriors paid Klay $75 mil to sit out for two seasons.

Klay got this injury right as he was hitting his prime. Dame got this injury closer to the end, and so signing him for him to play close to two seasons doesn't make any sense.

[WiggOuts]

I don't get the title, are they trying to make Dame look bad by saying hes "elated"? Mil needed to do this to save this season, why they gotta make it seem like both sides are saying fukc u on the way out

[hyberx]

He's from Oakland. Warriors have the premier medical staff in the League. He should come to the Bay, rehab, get on the court for the playoffs with Steph, Jimmy, and his guy Draymond.

Not a bad idea, but only if Lillard is willing to take a step back and not be the guy. Curry is still having the best number any guard in NBA history could have at age 36. Even MJ (34) and Kobe have way lower eFG% around the same age. He will still be competing for another two years if no major injuries. Lillard will be back after a year, so one more decent year to go, but he won't be the same guy (see Klay). If Lillard is willing to stack up the minutes and be the guy behind Curry, then they still have a shot. They just can't play together. Two little guards don't work together, just see Monta Ellis even in their prime.

[Twinkie defense]

The main problem for the Warriors was no one was willing to take a shot. Only Steph. Lillard will get plenty of opportunities to shoot. Steph will happily pass him the ball.