Damian Lillard to Warriors Not Ruled Out After Latest Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Damian Lillard never expected to be a free agent this summer. The Milwaukee Bucks had other plans, pulling off a bold scheme to waive-and-stretch Lillard to open up the cap space to sign Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers.

Damian Lillard is ready for his next chapter. After getting waived by the Bucks on Tuesday, the star point guard appears prepared to sign with a new team — even if he will miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is recruiting Damian Lillard to join the franchise as an unrestricted free agent, according to The Boston Globe. Released earlier this summer by the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard is reportedly open to signing this summer and the Celtics are one of three teams at the top of his potential list of suitors.

One potential addition could be Damian Lillard, who unexpectedly hit the free agency market after seeing his contract get waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. According to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, the Warriors are among the top teams on Lillard's list of potential destinations.

The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Trail Blazers in a blockbuster, three-team trade with the Suns in September 2023, dealing Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, a 2029 first-rounder and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to Portland.

Damian Lillard tore his Achilles during Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. Lillard underwent successful surgery a few days later, but the injury still meant the end of his time with the Bucks as the team chose to stretch his contract and waive him to make him a free agent.

The Knicks kept the core fresh off the franchise’s first conference finals run in 25 years intact, then added much-needed bench depth by agreeing to deals with former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and French national team standout Guerschon Yabusele as free agency opened on Monday.

The Celtics were linked as a possible suitor for Damian Lillard shortly after the Bucks bought him out of his contract.

“Free agent star Damian Lillard is open to signing with a team this offseason under the right terms and conditions as he continues rehabbing,” Haynes posted on social media. “He is receiving ample interest, but is in no rush to make a decision.”