Damian Lillard, Celtics Have Mutual Interest

[RealGM Wiretap]

Damian Lillard is set to become a free agent for the first time in his NBA career. Lillard will be waived-and-stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks after the NBA moratorium ends on Sunday afternoon. Upon clearing waivers, Lillard will be free to pick his next team.

One team Lillard has interest in joining is the Boston Celtics. And the Celtics reportedly have shared interest in teaming up with the veteran point guard.

When Lillard was seeking a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers two years ago, he wasn't interested in a trade to Boston. Now, Lillard has some interest in the Celtics, in part because of the close friendship he's built with star forward Jayson Tatum.

Boston is resetting their roster this offseason, as the team has deals lined up to get themselves under the second apron. The Celtics will be without Tatum for most, if not all, of next season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. The same is true for Lillard, who also suffered a torn Achilles, earlier in the postseason. The idea behind signing the veteran star would be to line things up for the 2026-27 season, when both Tatum and Lillard should be fully recovered from their injuries.

Via Gary Washburn/The Boston Globe

[lonzo_pelota]

[ziggymon123]

2 ACHILLES BOYZ

[Pickled Prunes]

This is actually the first thing I thought about when he was bought out. An entire organization that's taking a bi-year.

[boston_fan_ct]

It's in Lillard's court. I am thinking he is looking for a title and Boston if he is willing to take a low salary would be a good chance. Regardless of what the naysayers are saying he is a heck of a player.

[TheCage4]

Between him and Tatum they’ll have two good legs

[bqmuzik]

Dude is gonna ring chase to the extent we ain't never seen before

[psundeen]

He should come tom minnesota and take over the corner 3 role.

[puja21]

Dude is gonna ring chase to the extent we ain't never seen before

Vince carter probably had the most bites at the apple:

Forced the trade to NJ 18 mos after the b2b Finals losses

Traded to the Dwight Magic just days after they lost to the Lakers in the Finals

Signed with Dallas as a buyout guy from Phoenix right after the Mavs won their ring over Miami

Signed w/ Memphis grit and grind 1 year after their first/only Conf Finals appearance

Signed with Atlanta and was there for Trae conf finals hiccup run.



Then did a Netflix doc where he said he "didn't take the easy route and ring chase" because "I’d feel like internally, I’m dying inside to be along for the ride from the bench"
This after coming off the bench for 600+ career games and averaging under 20 mpg in his last 6 seasons with just 30 starts in those years.