In a stunning development that could reshape the Eastern Conference landscape, Damian Lillard and the Boston Celtics are reportedly showing strong mutual interest less than a week after Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
Washburn reported:
“According to an NBA source, Lillard would consider signing with the Celtics, and the Celtics are indeed interested. A few years ago, Lillard wasn’t so keen on coming to Boston when the Trail Blazers were considering trading him. This time, however, he’s open to Boston and he has a close friendship with (Jayson Tatum), as they played together on the 2020 Team USA in Tokyo.”
This marks the first time in his illustrious career that Lillard will hit unrestricted free agency. The Bucks waived and stretched his contract — which was set to pay him $113 million over the next two seasons — spreading those payments over five years to create cap relief. The move comes after Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, an injury that will sideline him for a significant portion of the 2026-27 season.
Celtics, Damian Lillard Continue To Express Mutual Interest
Lillard’s Elite Resume
Even at 35 (turning 36 in July 2026), Dame remains one of the most accomplished guards in NBA history:
9× All-Star7× All-NBA2012-13 Rookie of the Year4th all-time in career three-pointers made
Career averages: 25.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.7 APG
Last season (2024-25 with MIL): 24.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.1 APG on 44.8% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 92.1% FT across 58 games
A consensus Top 75 player of all time, Lillard’s scoring explosiveness, clutch gene, and deep shooting range remain elite — when healthy.
Boston’s Situation & The Tatum Connection
The Celtics, fresh off a 2024 championship but a disappointing second-round exit to the New York Knicks in 2025, made major cost-cutting moves this offseason: trading Jrue Holiday to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. Both Jayson Tatum and now Lillard are recovering from torn Achilles injuries (Tatum’s on the right side), creating a unique parallel — two superstar scorers rehabbing major injuries together.
The close friendship between Lillard and Tatum — forged during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Team USA — could be a major factor in smoothing the transition. If Lillard signs at a discounted rate (likely on a short-term prove-it deal given the injury), he could return as a high-impact sixth man or co-star in 2027-28, giving Boston a devastating pick-and-roll duo once both are fully healthy.
What This Could Mean for the Celtics
Short-term: Lillard likely misses most or all of 2026-27 → no immediate help, but cap flexibility preserved.Long-term: A motivated, ring-hungry Dame joining forces with a fully recovered Tatum could create one of the most lethal offensive backcourts in the league.Risk: Injury timelines and age (both will be 36+ upon full return) make this a high-upside gamble.
For a franchise that just won a title in 2024 and still boasts Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and a deep supporting cast, adding a future Hall of Famer like Lillard — even on a delayed timeline — would be a massive statement of long-term contention.
The NBA world is watching closely. If Dame and the Celtics make this happen, Boston could quietly position itself for another dominant run in the late 2020s.
Celtics Nation, buckle up — this offseason just got a whole lot more interesting.