Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Celtics are indeed one of them. The nine-time All-Star is in no hurry to sign, but the Celtics are interested in a multi-year deal that would allow him to return fully healthy from his torn Achilles for the 2026-27 season in a Celtics uniform along with a healed Tatum for a title run. According to NBA sources, Jayson Tatum has been active in recruiting Lillard to Boston, and the market for the point guard is limited because his injury will prevent him from likely playing most of next season. Lillard sustained his injury on April 27, 15 days prior to Tatum’s injury.
Source: Boston Globe
Source: Boston Globe
More on this storyline
Lillard is considering his options, but the Celtics have their taxpayer mid-level contract to offer. And the consensus from talking to league executives here in Las Vegas is the Celtics do have a chance in the Lillard sweepstakes. -via Boston Globe / July 13, 2025
Matt Barnes on Damian Lillard: the reason why I think Dame will be okay is because his game is never dependent on athleticism. You know, I mean, his strength, skill set, and ability to shoot the ball. I mean, it’ll probably take a little bit to get back there, but I don’t think it’s going to be dramatic. I think the defensive end is something we’re going to have to wait and see because he wasn’t super strong on that side anyway. -via YouTube / July 8, 2025
Keith Smith: Vasilije Micic gave up $6.1M in his buyout with the Milwaukee Bucks, a league source told @spotrac . That allowed the Bucks to stretch Micic’s cap hit, along with the stretch for Damian Lillard’s cap hit and to stay right at the 15% of the cap allowable in stretched salary. -via x.com / July 7, 2025
Since the kids brought it up—how much do you check in on Jayson? We were at the Auerbach Center today, and Brad said he’s in there every day. We even saw him doing the water workout. Derrick White: Yeah, I know he’s at the practice facility every day. I know he’s probably bored and wants to do more, but I’ve just been checking in here and there, seeing how he’s doing, how his summer’s going. I just know he’s doing everything he can to recover quickly. Hope to see him soon. -via YouTube / July 9, 2025
Bobby Manning: Brad Stevens said C’s knew they were going to have difficult decisions to make regardless of the Jayson Tatum injury. “We’ve known for a long time…I think the agents and players have known too. It’s been pretty well communicated.” Notes they had limited tools to keep Luke Kornet, Al Horford. -via Twitter @RealBobManning / July 8, 2025