Celtics Eyed as Top Landing Spot for Former $112 Million 9-Time All-Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Milwaukee Bucks made some big changes to their team in free agency, and there’s no doubt that they’re trying to improve from the past few seasons. For three years in a row, the Bucks have lost in the first round of the playoffs, and with no real direction going after this previous season, some things had to change.

The biggest addition they made in free agency was signing Myles Turner, after Brook Lopez decided to leave for the Los Angeles Clippers. That signing meant that Damian Lillard had to be waived and stretched from the team, as he’s recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in the playoffs.

Lillard is now a free agent and will have several teams looking to sign him. He will most definitely want to go to a contending team, and Bleacher Report recently predicted where he could sign.

“Boston is under no pressure to win next season with Jayson Tatum nursing his own Achilles injury but should be back in the title picture in 2026-27 assuming he, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are all still on the team. Adding Lillard to the core on a team-friendly deal now could be a smart investment,” Bleacher Report wrote.

“If the Celtics are successful in their pursuit of trying to trade Anfernee Simons and shed some additional salary, Boston could open up the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.7 million to sign Lillard to a multi-year deal with,” they continued.

Lillard is still being paid his $112 million contract, as the Bucks will have him on their books for the coming years. Though this is his first major injury, Lillard is still a 9-Time All-Star and should come back still playing at a high level.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.