New Report Will Excite Celtics Fans Who Want Damian Lillard

The feelings appear to be mutual between Damian Lillard the Boston Celtics.

Lillard is set to become a free agent as the Milwaukee Bucks plan to buy out the nine-time NBA All-Star guard in order to make room for free-agent center Myles Turner, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday. The Athletic issued a follow-up report citing the Boston Celtics are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in Lillard, who ruptured his Achilles in late April.

The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach on Thursday morning reported there could be mutual interest.

“… League sources said that the Celtics are among a group of teams that has shown early interest in signing the nine-time All-Star,” Himmelsbach wrote. “A league source also made it clear that Lillard could have interest in Boston, too, citing his respect for the organization and his long friendship with (Jayson) Tatum.”

Given Lillard is set to receive his full contract from Milwaukee, there’s reason to believe the 34-year-old might not cost his new team as much financially. The Green, who have been in cost-cutting mode this offseason, undoubtedly would appreciate that.

Lillard and Tatum both suffered devastating Achilles injuries during the NBA playoffs, and figure to miss the majority, if not all, the 2025-26 campaign. However, if the Celtics could add Lillard this offseason it undoubtedly would heighten expectations for the 2026-27 season.