Report: Damian Lillard, Celtics have mutual interest

Report: Damian Lillard, Celtics have mutual interest

The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the basketball world last week by snatching Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers … and waiving Damian Lillard to create (more) room for the deal to be possible.

Bucks general manager Jon Horst, who signed an extension earlier this offseason, is doing everything he can to pour resources into Giannis Antetokounmpo to make him happy, though I’m not quite sure if this is a salvageable situation in the short- or long-term.

Nevertheless, Lillard, who turns 35-years-old next week, is an unrestricted free agent and will have no shortage of suitors, even though he could miss all of the 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles.

One of those teams could be the Boston Celtics, where there is mutual interest, according to the Boston Globe‘s Gary Washburn.

“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,” Washburn wrote.

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

Of course, none of this means that Boston will be acquiring Lillard nor does it mean that they’re at the top of his list.

One could assume that Lillard wants to join a legitimate contender. The Celtics, for this upcoming season, are not one of those teams with Jayson Tatum’s injury. Boston’s been active, trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — but its primary goal has been shaving money so they can be more flexible for future seasons.

D they also really want two players on their roster recovering from achilles tears at the same time — especially with one of them in his mid-30s as a small guard?! I’m not sure that’s the most optimal formula for success, given Lillard’s age and how much more difficult this injury can be for smaller, aging guards.

Report: Damian Lillard was ‘elated’ that Bucks waived him

Lillard is still a dynamic offensive player, but his best days could be behind him. If the Celtics — or any other contender — can get him for, say, the taxpayer’s mid-level ($5.6M) or anywhere lower than that, it’s a steal. But you also have to be flexible enough to allow yourselves to compete, knowing one of those spots is taken up by a player who won’t play for at least one season.

What are your thoughts on Lillard’s fit in Boston? Let us know in the comments!!

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