It may be necessary for the Celtics to wait a while if they truly want Damian Lillard.
According to longtime NBA source Chris Haynes, the nine-time All-Star guard is taking his time recovering from an Achilles injury this offseason and is not in a rush to decide on a free agency. But if the terms and conditions are good, Lillard will sign with a team this summer, Haynes continued.
The Celtics may find it easier to acquire Lillard if he is prepared to wait for a decision. Boston agreed to deals with Josh Minott and Luka Garza this week, and as of Saturday, its estimated payroll for the 2025–26 season is approximately the second luxury tax threshold. At this time, it can only offer Lillard the veteran’s minimum.
It was said that the Celtics were still trying to cut salaries in order to retain Luke Kornet and Al Horford before free agency began. Boston may be able to exploit the taxpayer’s mid-level exception if they reduce salaries, even though they have already lost Kornet to the Spurs and Horford is probably going to go.
The Celtics may have a financial advantage over other possible suitors for Lillard because of that exception. The Warriors, who are reportedly among the teams interested in Lillard, would probably use the taxpayer’s mid-level exception to sign Horford, which would limit them to using the veteran’s minimum to acquire the star guard. Lillard is apparently a target for the Lakers as well.
The amount of money Lillard is asking for on the open market is unknown, but there are two reasons why his market is unique. Lillard’s availability for the 2025–26 season is uncertain due to his Achilles tear in April, and his advanced age (he turns 35 in July) has raised questions about how significant he will be moving forward. However, the Bucks also paid him $112 million after they bought out the rest of his deal on Tuesday, so money might not be as much of a factor in Lillard’s choice to sign a free agent contract.
Shortly after the Bucks bought out Lillard’s contract on Tuesday, the Celtics became a possible contender. According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globes, Boston is one of the teams that has expressed early interest in Lillard, who may also be interested in joining the Celtics because of his bond with Jayson Tatum.
The concept that the Celtics would consider the upcoming season a bit of a gap year would gain some support if they were to sign Lillard this offseason. Naturally, Tatum’s Achilles tear has also kept him out indefinitely, and it’s unknown if he will play in 2025–2026.
However, the Celtics would at least have some much-needed rotational depth if they could sign Lillard and have him under contract for the 2026–2027 campaign. With the June trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis prior to Kornet’s free-agent exit, Boston’s potent rotation has already suffered a significant blow this offseason. The Celtics only have a one-year contract with Anfernee Simons, who they acquired in exchange for Holiday.
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