Report: Bucks Could Have Traded Damian Lillard This Summer If He Didn’t Tear Achilles

According to Eric Nehm and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Milwaukee Bucks could have traded Damian Lillard this summer if the point guard didn’t tear his Achilles. 

Lillard could miss all of next season after tearing his left Achilles tendon in Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers. 

“Building a contender with Lillard sidelined as he recovers from a torn left Achilles’ tendon will be, barring a miracle, nearly impossible next season,” Nehm and Amick wrote. “His $54.1 million contract will take up roughly 35 percent of next season’s projected $154.6 million salary cap. And while league sources say Lillard is optimistic about a speedy recovery, the Bucks cannot plan for the future expecting the nine-time All-Star, who turns 35 in July, to fully return to his pre-injury form next season.

“Had Lillard remained healthy, and had the Bucks still fallen in the first round, league sources say there would have been discussions about whether Lillard wanted to remain in Milwaukee. The relationship between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard is strong, as is the respect level, but the imperfections of their on-court pairing remained in their second season together. And with the group’s collective limitations growing more evident by the month, a conversation was looming about whether Lillard and the Bucks might be better off parting ways.”

The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. Lillard is averaging 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in a Milwaukee uniform. 

Lillard will make $54,126,380 next season. He has a player option worth $58,456,490 for the 2026-27 season. 

Lillard has played for the Blazers and Bucks. He has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The Oakland native has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Blazers. 

Lillard wanted to get traded to the Miami Heat when he requested a trade from the Blazers. However, Portland and Miami couldn’t agree to a deal.