Damian Lillard isn’t letting an injury dampen his spirits. The star guard, recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, posted a telling message that suggests he’s far from done with his NBA journey.
A Confident Declaration Despite Uncertainty
After Milwaukee cut ties with him Tuesday, Lillard waited until late Thursday to break his silence on X with a message that spoke volumes: “If they call it a ‘gamble’ at this stage… tell em this the jackpot. #ToBeContinued.” The nine-time All-Star remains sidelined with an Achilles injury, yet his words suggest he’s already plotting his next move—even if it means sitting out most of the 2025-26 season.
Teams Circling as Lillard Weighs His Options
NBA insider Chris Haynes dropped some intel shortly after Lillard’s post, revealing the veteran guard is “open to signing with a team this offseason under the right terms and conditions.” But here’s the kicker—Lillard isn’t rushing into anything. He’s got teams interested, that’s for sure, but he’s taking his sweet time to find the perfect fit.
Word has it that the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers are already sniffing around, with reports from The Athletic indicating these franchises want to make their pitch sooner rather than later.
Milwaukee’s Cap Space Shuffle
The Bucks didn’t just wave goodbye to Lillard on a whim. Their front office had bigger plans—specifically, clearing enough salary cap room to land free-agent center Myles Turner. Turner, who was a key piece in Indiana’s playoff run, signed a hefty four-year, $107 million deal with Milwaukee. To make the numbers work, the Bucks decided to stretch Lillard’s remaining $113 million contract, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
For Lillard, who tore his Achilles during Game 4 of Milwaukee’s first-round playoff exit against the Pacers on April 27, 2025, the waiver actually comes as a relief. He’s planning to recover in Portland, surrounded by family while he mulls over his next chapter.
The Numbers Before the Injury
Before his season ended abruptly, Lillard put up solid numbers in a Bucks uniform. Across 58 games during the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. His arrival in Milwaukee came through that blockbuster 2023 trade that sent shockwaves through the league—the Bucks parted ways with Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, a 2029 first-round pick, plus swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to bring Dame to Wisconsin.
