In a surprising move, the Milwaukee Bucks have waived All-Star guard Damian Lillard as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. Lillard sustained the injury during the first round of the NBA Playoffs and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025–26 season.
The decision came after Milwaukee lost center Brook Lopez and pivoted quickly by signing Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal. To create cap space for the move, the Bucks opted to waive Lillard and stretch the remaining $113 million on his deal over five years. With his contract fully guaranteed, Lillard was reportedly thrilled with the outcome.
According to Eric Nehm, Sam Amick, and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, multiple contending teams have already reached out to Lillard, including the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers. All three are said to be interested in signing him sooner rather than later.
Lillard now has the flexibility to carefully consider his next destination. He could choose to rehab with a new team throughout the upcoming season or wait until the summer of 2026 when he’ll be healthy and more teams could offer a roster spot without immediate pressure.
Financially, Lillard doesn’t need to worry any new salary he earns would simply reduce what the Bucks owe him, not add to it. Keith Smith of Spotrac floated the idea that Boston could offer him a minimum deal this season with an informal understanding that they’d use an exception to re-sign him the next year. That plan would also allow him and Jayson Tatum, who is also recovering from injury, to rehab together and potentially return strong in 2026–27.
However, such a strategy would mean Boston ties up two roster spots on players who won’t play this season a drawback if the team isn’t looking to tank. Still, for a player of Lillard’s caliber, even at a discount and post-injury, the risk may be well worth the potential reward.
Lillard’s next move will be one of the most watched stories of the offseason.
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