The Bucks‘ surprising decision to waive Damian Lillard with two guaranteed years left on his contract is being met with significant enthusiasm by at least one involved party: Lillard himself.
League sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that Lillard, who will spend the 2025/26 season recovering from an Achilles tear, is “elated” with the move, since it will give him the opportunity to join a team of his choosing while still being paid the $112MM+ he was owed by the Bucks.
Amick refers to it as a “dream scenario” for the star point guard, who struggled at times with the on-court fit in Milwaukee and found it challenging to be away from his children after spending the first 11 years of his playing career in Portland.
As Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian relays (via Twitter), Lillard’s agent Aaron Goodwin put out a statement essentially confirming Amick’s report.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Damian,” Goodwin said. “He receives all of his money guaranteed, and it provides him an opportunity to decide his next destination as an unrestricted free agent. He gets a chance to rehab at home if he chooses to, and be with his family and his kids for the next year. The goal is for him to take his time and make a decision on what his next destination will be.”
As we relayed earlier, Lillard is expected to take some time to decide whether he wants to sit out this season or sign a multiyear contract and spend the season rehabbing with a team.
According to Amick, the 34-year-old has already received calls from contending teams since word broke that he was being waived by Milwaukee.
Team up with longtime rival Steph? Return to Portland now that they are trying to contend?
Portland is trying to contend?
They won 36 games in stacked west.
Right but they haven’t made any moves to really improve themselves yet. Dumping Ayton is solid (even if it marginally hurts the team) but it remains to be seen if they’ll actually retain Holliday. imo, they’re still rebuilding and not yet in a position to try to contend. I don’t know what Lillard’s timetable to sign somewhere is but if it is soon, I don’t think I would put Portland in the “trying to contend” category yet.
They have a lot of good young players like Henderson and Camara and clingan and looks like they want to keep holiday
They could be like the rockets last season
@sad: Maybe! I’m not sure I would say it yet, though. It depends what they do with Holliday. I still think they’re another year out. Scoot needs to take another step forward. I’m a fan of Advija and hopefully he’s featured more this season. Could they win 40 games this upcoming season? I think it’s possible. But I don’t think I’d rush the rebuild if I was them.
Lillard is one of the most overrated players out there.
The Warriors aren’t a contender anymore
Dame happy Giannis not. Curious.
You know, Giannis always asking for a trade… different day.
If you drive on public roads you are a socialist.
Nba salaries and the way these guys are treated almost makes me want socialism. Almost.
Yea, it’d be so much better if those billionaire owners kept the money for themselves.
“while still being paid maximum-salary money by the Bucks for the next two seasons” Does not everybody reported that his contract is going to be stretched over 5 years? So he will not get that maximum money in 2 years, in 5 instead.
To me, his not going to sign with anybody at all this year since his going to a larger contract starting on 26-27. Something like 3 yrs 100 mil to whoever have the room to give him that and somehow could be a contender
He has a two year window (the length he had remaining on his contract) where he can sign for the veteran minimum and it won’t affect his total earnings but maximize his opportunity where he can chase a ring on any team he wants. AFTER that he can then sign another contract for as much as he can even though he’s still getting paid by MIL.
It would be a tragedy Dame won a ring this way.
They spread the cap hit out but Dame gets paid the same
He still gets the money for those seasons.
The only downside is that he loses his bird rights and wont have them back yet after next year.
He will probably sign this league year so he at least has early bird after next.
Good point, I’ll reword that.
Heat bound?
What for? This is his chance to chase a ring on any team he wants on a vet minimum while still getting paid Max money.
Celtics next season why not have two guys that are both coming back from the same injury lol. Seriously though probably the Heat that is where he wanted to play
Dame and Jayson can rehab their achilles together!
Because Miami is closer to his fam in Portland than Milwaukee.
Houston signed everyone else – why not?
He making $112 mil for not playing a single minute with bucks
God dam right thats “incredible”
He’ll be a Laker when LeBron retires next season
Dame will probably retire before Bron
Wolves have zero starting quality point guards on their roster right now.
We,fans,care about teams,not about random players happiness,right?
Na, I like to see people happy. More power to them. More power to Dame. Super happy for his opportunity and his happiness.
I haven’t read the other comments yet perhaps someone already suggested this, but now Lillard can sign with the Warriors and their two year window still applies. He’ll come cheap because that’s all the Warriors have lol.
Now with Giannis upset because he has respect for Lillard maybe he’ll ask to go to the Warriors also?
Pipedream but could you imagine? Lillard plays his last couple of years in Hometown Oakland, and brings he and Steph buddy Giannis into town to make a run for it? I don’t know funnier things have happened.
Storybook stuff for Warriors fans.
I think Dame would do it if the team were still in Oakland. Not sure he feels the same about SF.
Lets not channel our inner Davey J now
You’re right. Sorry.
What’s the rush, not like there’s a sense of urgency right now. This will be a story that keeps on giving.
A guy who already refuses to defend is going to look downright elderly coming off an Achilles tear in his late 30s. Good luck to whoever signs him…..you’ll need it.