Damian Lillard already has suitors lined up after his stunning launch from the Milwaukee Bucks, however he has few causes to rush and decide.
When the Bucks used the NBA’s stretch provision to launch level guard Damian Lillard on Tuesday, the nine-time All-Star immediately grew to become probably the most fascinating participant on the free-agent market.
Whereas he’ll miss many of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles he suffered through the playoffs on Apr. 27, ESPN’s Marc Spears reported on Tuesday that he might return after the 2026 All-Star break, set for Feb. 13-15.
On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors “are among the many groups” that would favor to signal Lillard as quickly as attainable.
If Lillard performs his playing cards proper, he would possibly tip the scales within the playoff race. Nonetheless, there is not any means of figuring out which fringe playoff groups, which one might argue the Celtics, Lakers and Warriors are, might morph into legit contenders in 2025-26.
Since profitable the 2022 NBA championship, Golden State has did not advance previous the West semis up to now three seasons, together with lacking the 2024 playoffs after ending tenth within the convention.
Los Angeles would not have a middle and is prioritizing cap area, whereas Boston will possible be with out four-time first-team All-NBA ahead Jayson Tatum (Achilles) for the complete season and parted with guard Jrue Vacation and heart Kristaps Porzingis in June.
It will make extra sense for Lillard to carry off on signing till he sees the place he might be of probably the most use.
The 13-year veteran began 58 video games final season, averaging 24.9 factors, 7.1 assists and 1.2 steals per recreation whereas taking pictures 44.8 p.c, together with 37.6 p.c from past the arc.
In his two most up-to-date playoff appearances previous to 2025, Lillard averaged 33.1 factors and eight.1 assists, making 5.5 threes on 12.6 makes an attempt per recreation (43.7 p.c).
Nobody who indicators Lillard ought to count on that manufacturing through the 2026 playoffs, however as one of many league’s most gifted scorers, he might nonetheless present useful minutes, plus tackle a bigger position in 2026-27.
The massive query is whether or not the Celtics, Lakers, Warriors, or any staff making an attempt to hurry a Lillard signing would give him the perfect alternative. And this early within the offseason, it is unimaginable to say.
