The Celtics are one of several teams that are interested in former Bucks point guard Damian Lillard, according to a new report from the Athletic. Lillard was surprisingly waived and stretched by the Bucks on Tuesday while rehabbing from a torn Achilles injury. Milwaukee stretched the remaining $112.6 million owed to the point guard over the next two years across five seasons, which freed up some cap space for the Bucks to sign Myles Turner. Milwaukee will have cap hits on their books of $22.5 million for the next five seasons.
Lillard is expected to miss most, if not all of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered during the first round against the Pacers. However, he now has a massive opportunity to pick his new destination without price being much of a factor since he will get his full payout in salary for the next two years regardless from Milwaukee.
The Celtics, Warriors and Lakers are among the team that would “have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later” according to the Athletic and several other contending teams are expected to register interest in the point guard. Jayson Tatum reportedly attempted to recruit Lillard back in 2023 before he was traded to the Bucks. Boston later pivoted to trading for Jrue Holiday in the aftermath of that deal and went on to win the 2025 NBA title.
Lillard, 34, averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He missed time in March and April after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his calf but was cleared to return for the playoffs, returning for just three games before he tore his Achilles.
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