Damian Lillard’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks is all but over after the 2021 NBA champions waived the injured star to accommodate a trade for Myles Turner.
Lillard arrived to join forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2023, but the duo’s partnership was halted last April as the point guard suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Bucks’ first-round playoff exit against the Indiana Pacers.
The 34-year-old underwent surgery in May and has since been deemed surplus to requirements, with his contract waived to make room for center Turner, who impressed in the Pacers’ run to this year’s NBA Finals.
But where might Lillard wind up next? Here, we take a look at five potential landing spots for the nine-time NBA All-Star:
5 – Miami Heat
When Lillard initially made clear his intention to depart Portland after more than a decade of Dame Time, it initially looked as though all roads led to Miami and a link-up with a Heat team that had just missed out on championship glory in 2023.
That never materialised at the time, and the Bucks came in to pick up the pieces, but as Lillard is destined to miss all of the 2025/26 campaign through injury and return to NBA action aged 36, he may be considering factors other than being the lead man at that juncture.
Finally heading where his heart was set two years ago may remain appealing, as could a veteran’s role – helping the likes of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo to truly lead the Heat’s offence.
4 – Boston Celtics
The Celtics are in something of a rebuild mould for the upcoming season, and an experienced voice like Lillard’s could go some way to rediscovering the winning culture that led the C’s to NBA glory in 2024.
With Jayson Tatum himself sidelined with a torn Achilles, there could be some logic to a freed-up Lillard slotting in and rejuvenating the Boston guard as both find their way through injury rehab.
3 – Golden State Warriors
With Lillard’s Bucks waiving, leaving him with a healthy $112.5m to pocket over the next two years, his next big move will not be predicated on money, and, given his age, other factors may come under more detailed scrutiny.
Lillard is from Oakland and a move to the Warriors would provide home comforts, while on the hardwood he would add to a rich depth of veteran influences, with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler all in that category.
Whether the Dubs would overload on vintage talent to that extent remains to be seen, though Lillard deputising for Curry at point guard would be a sight to behold for NBA fans.
2 – Portland Trail Blazers
On the face of things, a return to the Trail Blazers may be unlikely, considering Lillard has already poured so much of his NBA career into the franchise, but a speedier rebuild from the front office could tempt him back.
With Portland trading for Jrue Holiday and backing the talents of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, Lillard would fit nicely as a guiding light for the younger players, though perhaps his time blazing the trail is in the past, and a tangible shot at a championship is what he really wants.
1 – Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were NBA champions just two years ago, and while they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in this year’s Western Conference semis, that winning culture remains and has been backed by an aggressive offseason to date.
Denver have already acquired Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas as they look to return to glory, with star Nikola Jokic reportedly seeking depth in the roster.
Lillard would certainly add to that depth, and from his point of view, a move to the Nuggets would possibly present the best opportunity to finish out a sparkling NBA career with a deserved championship ring.