The Milwaukee Bucks made news this week when they officially waived Damian Lillard, capping off a brief stint that never lived up to the hoopla when he originally came. Lillard, who suffered a ruptured Achilles late in the season, had his contract extended to allow Milwaukee to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal.
Lillard’s decision means he now enters unrestricted free agency, free to choose where he wants to conclude his rehab and continue his career.
Behind the scenes, it’s evident that the split could be for the best. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, Lillard was “elated” to be waived since it freed him from a setting that was never a natural fit.
His time in Milwaukee was marred by injuries and concerns about the roster’s balance around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he eventually fell short of the title aspirations that prompted the blockbuster deal in the first place.
In a revealing revelation that summarizes his tenure with the Bucks, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon stated that “Dame never wanted to be in Milwaukee.” He was a professional and tried to make the best of the situation, but he didn’t want to be there. He had to deliberately try not to be miserable.”
MacMahon also mentioned that the Miami Heat, who Lillard initially wanted to trade to, may be back on the table as a destination. The Golden State Warriors were also discussed throughout this session.
However, Miami and Golden State aren’t the only teams linked to Lillard.
According to The Athletic, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, in addition to Golden State, have already expressed interest in signing Lillard once he is healthy. For the Celtics, in particular, the opportunity to add a proven scorer to a core that includes Jayson Tatum may be too enticing to pass up—even if Lillard spends next season primarily recovering.
Lillard’s departure from Milwaukee marks the conclusion of a brief, challenging chapter while also opening the door to a new beginning. Wherever he ends up, the nine-time All-Star will gamble on himself once more, this time with complete control over what happens next.
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