Jayson Tatum Actively Recruiting Damian Lillard To Celtics

[RealGM Wiretap]

Jayson Tatum has been "active" in his recruitment of Damian Lillard to the Boston Celtics, sources told Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.

Washburn adds that the market for Lillard has been slow as it is unlikely that the point guard returns next season from his torn Achilles.

The Bucks waived-and-stretched Lillard at the beginning of July. 

The Warriors and Lakers are reportedly two other teams interested in adding Lillard. 

Lillard is open to signing with a team this offseason but is not in a rush.

Via Gary Washburn/The Boston Globe

[CaHgO]

The achilleas bros.

[OogaBooga]

wouldn't this more or less guarantee a jaylen brown trade?

[Cyclonus12]

wouldn't this more or less guarantee a jaylen brown trade?

No. Remember, Lillard's massive contract was waived and stretched by the Bucks, who will now be paying him $22,516,603 a year for the next 5 years... no matter what team he's on, and even if he retires before then. None of that money goes onto his next team's books. He and the Celtics (or any other team) are free to work out whatever salary works for both parties (as long as it's at least the veteran's minimum), so it's not like the Celtics would be adding another max contract in addition to the 2 they already have with Brown and Tatum.

[pushfloater]

Is that even a good fit

[Pickled Prunes]

Is that even a good fit

On a min-deal, Lillard is a fit everywhere.

[littlerock2277]

Not sure having 2 guys coming back from Achilles injuries is a good method. But if he comes for cheap doesn’t hurt them. More talent is better than nothing.

[puja21]

Is that even a good fit

On a min-deal, Lillard is a fit everywhere.

whomever they add needs to be on a min

Celtics have been above the 2nd apron in each of the last 2 years so they will become repeaters if they finish 2025/26 above just the luxury tax line.

A league memo from March put the expected tax line at $189.7M and second apron at $207.8M

They are currently just below the apron, which means finding likely trying to find taker for Simons before the deadline and taking back no more than ~$10.75M in return

(or some combination of multiple, separate trades that nets them another 17M in space)

They can't add meaningful salary without hampering their whole salary reset plan.

[Pickled Prunes]

Is that even a good fit

On a min-deal, Lillard is a fit everywhere.

whomever they add needs to be on a min

Celtics have been above the 2nd apron in each of the last 2 years so they will become repeaters if they finish 2025/26 above just the luxury tax line.

A league memo from March put the expected tax line at $189.7M and second apron at $207.8M

They are currently just below the apron, which means finding likely trying to find taker for Simons before the deadline and taking back no more than ~$10.75M in return

(or some combination of multiple, separate trades that nets them another 17M in space)

They can't add meaningful salary without hampering their whole salary reset plan.

It is assumed that when/if Lillard signs with a team to rehab with, it will be on a minimum 1+1 with a player option.

[puja21]

On a min-deal, Lillard is a fit everywhere.

whomever they add needs to be on a min

Celtics have been above the 2nd apron in each of the last 2 years so they will become repeaters if they finish 2025/26 above just the luxury tax line.

A league memo from March put the expected tax line at $189.7M and second apron at $207.8M

They are currently just below the apron, which means finding likely trying to find taker for Simons before the deadline and taking back no more than ~$10.75M in return

(or some combination of multiple, separate trades that nets them another 17M in space)

They can't add meaningful salary without hampering their whole salary reset plan.

It is assumed that when/if Lillard signs with a team to rehab with, it will be on a minimum 1+1 with a player option.

Well that didn't happen