The Milwaukee Bucks made headlines this week by officially waiving Damian Lillard, ending a short-lived tenure that never quite matched the hype when he first arrived. Lillard, who suffered a torn Achilles late in the season, saw his contract stretched to create cap space for Milwaukee to sign Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million deal.
For Lillard, the decision means he now enters unrestricted free agency with the freedom to choose where he wants to finish his rehab and the next stage of his career.
Behind the scenes, it’s clear the separation may be for the best. Reports indicate Lillard was actually “elated” to be waived, as it frees him from a situation that never felt like a natural fit (via ESPN's Marc Spears).
Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0).
Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0).
Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
His time in Milwaukee was overshadowed by injuries and questions about the roster’s balance around Giannis Antetokounmpo, ultimately falling short of the title expectations that sparked the blockbuster trade in the first place.
In a candid detail that sums up his time with the Bucks, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon revealed that “Dame never wanted to be in Milwaukee. He was a pro and tried to make the best of it, but he didn’t want to be there. He had to actively try to make sure he wasn’t miserable.”
MacMahon interestingly noted the Miami Heat, who Lillard initially wanted to be traded to, may be back on the table as a destination. The Golden State Warriors were also mentioned in this segment.
That said, Miami and Golden State are not the only teams linked to Lillard.
According to The Athletic, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are also among the contenders that have already reached out about signing Lillard once he’s healthy, in addition to Golden State. For the Celtics in particular, the chance to add a proven scorer to a core that includes Jayson Tatum could be too good to pass up—even if Lillard spends next season focused solely on recovery.
Lillard’s exit from Milwaukee ends a short, complicated chapter but opens a door to a fresh start. Wherever he lands, the nine-time All-Star will be betting on himself one more time—this time fully in control of what comes next.