Damian Lillard is expected to draw interest from multiple teams when he officially becomes a free agent, but one top Eastern Conference contender seems to have emerged as a favorite to sign the star point guard.
Lillard has interest in joining the Boston Celtics, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. The Celtics were not on Lillard’s list of preferred destinations when he asked the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him in 2023, but Washburn notes that Lillard has since built a “close friendship” with Jayson Tatum.
Not surprisingly, the interest between Lillard and the Celtics is said to be mutual.
Damian Lillard to the Celtics is really starting to gain steam. 👀 pic.twitter.com/HdRSBKg8xL
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) July 6, 2025
Like Lillard, Tatum is recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered during the playoffs. The two would be able to rehab together if Lillard were to sign with Boston.
Lillard is reportedly thrilled that the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. There will be a salary offset for any team that signs him either next season or in 2026-27. That means the Bucks would only owe the difference between their original salary to Lillard and whatever his next team were to pay him. However, there is a good chance Lillard will simply sign with a contender for the veteran minimum, that way his next team will be in as strong of a position as possible.
Both Lillard and Tatum are expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. Lillard will turn 35 later this month, but he still played at a high level this season with 25.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.
The Celtics have undergone some serious roster changes already this offseason. With the salary cap issues they have, it is possible they could sign Lillard with a focus on making another run at a title in 2026-27 rather than next season.
