Warriors Reportedly Interested With Damian Lillard After Bucks Waived Him

The Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard to free area for Myles Turner, despite the fact that the star guard nonetheless had two years and $113 million remaining on his contract. Still, he’ll be paid $22.5 million yearly for the subsequent 5 years.

While he is thought of a legal responsibility for a lot of groups, the Golden State Warriors could be concerned in signing the All-Star level guard in the course of the NBA’s free company season. League insiders report that the Warriors are one in every of numerous groups to have left messages for Lillard after his shock waiver.

Warriors, Celtics, Lakers Show Interest in Injured Star

According to a number of sources at The Athletic, Lillard has been pursued by the Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. But here is the rub: the 34-year-old Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon in April throughout Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff collection. The harm will in all probability hold him sidelined for a lot or all of subsequent season’s 2025–26 marketing campaign.

Nevertheless, with Milwaukee protecting most of his wage, Lillard would possibly simply signal with any workforce for a veteran minimal ($3.6 million), and he will probably be an actual low-risk, high-reward goal for contenders who’re affected person.

Will Lillard Rehabilitate Under a New Team?

The query now’s whether or not Lillard would favor to rehab with an present contract in hand or maintain out till subsequent summer season when he is additional into the rehab course of. For the Warriors and different groups, this can be a strategic probability to get the nine-time All-Star for a steal, hoping he returns in late 2025 or early 2026.

“The question is whether [Lillard] wants to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under their care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation. The Bucks, who will have to operate with Lillard’s money clogging their books for the next five seasons, are banking on this latest roll of the dice paying off,” The Athletic studies.

Why Golden State Sees Lillard Donning Dubs Uniform

Lillard is greater than any bizarre free agent for the Warriors as a result of he is a homegrown hero. Oakland-bred and raised, Lillard shone in faculty at Weber State earlier than spending most of his NBA profession with the Portland Trail Blazers, in accordance with NBC Sports. For years, he is battled Golden State tooth and nail, significantly throughout their championship seasons.

With the Warriors seeking to rebuild round Stephen Curry and eyeing future roster adjustments, bringing in Lillard, doubtlessly as Curry’s inheritor or backcourt mate, would give the workforce a lift. Even if Lillard is not ready to contribute subsequent season, the signing would possibly ignite an fascinating narrative: the return of a Bay Area legend.

Even although he performed solely 58 video games in 2024–25, Lillard averaged 24.9 factors, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.