Damian Lillard’s market forming after shocking Bucks buyout

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One of the sudden — and most coveted — free brokers in the marketplace is Damian Lillard.

The previous Buck was stunningly waived on Tuesday, and his Milwaukee exit despatched ripples all through the NBA, with groups just like the Warmth — the place he wished to be traded in 2023 — together with the Lakers, Warriors and Celtics, amongst others, rising as potential suitors, The Athletic reported.

On the Milwaukee aspect, the waiving cleared cap house for the Bucks to land Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million contract, poaching him from the rival Pacers, who pushed the Thunder to Recreation 7 within the NBA Finals.

Lillard’s season was robust till it ended abruptly in Recreation 4 of the first-round playoff collection in opposition to Indiana when he suffered a torn Achilles.

Damian Lillard is now a free agent. Getty Photographs

He averaged 24.9 factors, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds over 58 common season video games.

Lillard spent 11 seasons because the face of the Path Blazers earlier than requesting a commerce in the summertime of 2023, which turned the speak of the NBA.

That transfer despatched him to Milwaukee in change for a package deal together with, most notably, Jrue Vacation — who landed with the Celtics — and DeAndre Ayton, aiming to pair Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The duo by no means gained a playoff collection in Milwaukee, with accidents impacting every season.

Whereas Lillard’s torn Achilles may sideline him for all of 2025‑26, he may signal a multi-year cope with a workforce and rehab this season whereas suiting up in 2026-27.

Damian Lillard might be rehabbing an Achilles harm for not less than many of the 2025-26 season. NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks is helped off the courtroom after an obvious harm through the first quarter in Recreation 4 of the Jap Convention First Spherical NBA Playoffs in opposition to the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Discussion board on April 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Getty Photographs

Among the finest guards of his period, Lillard turns 35 on July 15 and is a nine-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA honoree in his esteemed profession within the league.