Warriors, Celtics, Lakers Interested In Signing Damian Lillard ‘Sooner Rather Than Later’

The Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are interested in signing Damian Lillard “sooner rather than later.”

Lillard is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career after getting waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Lillard, who is expected to miss most of next season because of a torn left Achilles tendon, was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons. That amount will be stretched over the next five seasons.

“Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke,” Eric Nehm, Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported.

“League sources say the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later. The question is whether he wants to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under their care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation. The Bucks, who will have to operate with Lillard’s money clogging their books for the next five seasons, are banking on this latest roll of the dice paying off.”

Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

A future Hall of Famer, Lillard has never been to the NBA Finals. It will be fascinating to see where the guard is playing next season.