After being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard is an unrestricted free agent for the primary time in his profession. It is definitely not the circumstances through which he’d think about, after the Bucks unexpectedly waived and stretched the ultimate two years of his deal, however now Lillard has the chance to affix any staff he needs.
The soon-to-be 35 yr previous is presently rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered within the playoffs, so he may take his time to affix a staff, maybe ready till subsequent summer season even. Nonetheless, Chris Haynes reports that the nine-time All Star might take into account becoming a member of a staff this summer season “below the proper phrases and situations.”
Lillard has already drawn interest from several teams, together with the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, although it is unclear how motivated these groups are to get a deal completed. All three of these groups additionally aren’t in want of a place to begin guard in the meanwhile, and regardless that Lillard can be out for many if not all of subsequent season, when he does return it is extremely unlikely that he’d wish to come off the bench. That does not imply he would not begin on any of these groups, the Lakers for example would have a very potent backcourt with Luka Doncic and Lillard. The identical goes for the Celtics and the Warriors, although his slot in each locations is not as seamless.
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When Lillard was initially traded to Milwaukee, his most popular touchdown spot was the Miami Heat, however with Jimmy Butler now not on the staff, and the Warmth additional away from title competition than they had been when Lillard was initially on the buying and selling block, that pairing appears unlikely.
There may be additionally the choice that Lillard decides to take a seat out subsequent season and not using a staff, totally rehab from his damage, after which joins a title contender subsequent summer season. Both method, Lillard would have his decide of the litter in no matter staff he needs to affix.
Whichever staff provides Lillard, whether or not it is this summer season or subsequent, it will likely be at an extremely steep low cost now that he can be making roughly $22.5 million in every of the subsequent 5 seasons from the Bucks. Milwaukee waived and stretched Lillard’s contract with a purpose to make room for the signing of Myles Turner, which permits Lillard to signal elsewhere. It is unclear what Lillard would tackle a brand new deal, however he’ll absolutely take a large pay reduce for the prospect of enjoying on a staff that has a robust likelihood of successful a championship.