Should the Celtics consider to pursue Damian Lillard? Chris Mannix Pesa – NBC Sports Boston
The offseason that alters the Boston Celtics franchising took an unexpected turning point on Wednesday with the interest of the team for the Superstar Damian Lillard guard.
Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks gave up Lillard to free space to sign the former big man of the Big Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacer in the free agency. The $ 112.6 million remained on the Lillard contract in the next five years did it by extending it.
The Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are “known to be among the many teams that would have an interest in making an agreement (with Lillard) first rather than after”, reported Eric Nehm of Athletic, Sam Amick and Joe Vardon. Boston’s mention was a surprise with the team that moved the salary this summer separating with Jrue Holiday (trade), Kristaps Porzingis (trade) and Luke Kornet (free agency), and still aims to get under the second apron of the luxury tax.
Given the current state of the C, Lillard’s signature may seem like a skyscraper, in particular with the 34-year-old set to lose the whole 2025-26 campaign due to a torn Achille. But looking beyond next season, it is easy to understand why Boston is intrigued by the idea of adding nine times all-star to the mix.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated shared his opinion on The Celtics reported the interest in Lillard during Wednesday’s episode The outside of C’season.
“I think the mechanics of an agreement will be the most important thing,” said Mannix. “Dame is made for the ’25 -26 season .26. He was injured in the first round of the playoffs. He will not go back to the same year Tatum returning. But I thought he was an interesting player for Boston when Portland dangled him a couple of years ago. He signs him to his next agreement, absolutely, I think they should consider the idea of pursuing him.
“And look, it will not be as expensive as it once was because it will receive $ 100+ million from Milwaukee after giving up and stretched it. So yes, I think the Celtics are among the teams that will show an interest in Damian Lillard, but I expect it to be a strong market for Damian Lillard.”
As Mannix observes, the Celtics should not worry too far from the financials since Lillard will earn $ 22.5 million a year by the Bucks. It will probably be available for relatively cheap, so there is no real negative aspect in adding a great player with the aim of returning to the dispute in 2027.
Having said that, Lillard could wait a little to decide his next destination. Mannix believes that seven times selection of All-Nba can put its contract offers on Back Burner while summarizing in Portland this season.
“When I talked to people around Lillard, I think he wants to rehabilitate to Portland or do a lot to Portland,” said Mannix. “He spent the last two years away from his family, away from his children, living in Milwaukee. I spoke to him in the past, others also have, how difficult it was for him. I think he would like to spend most of the next year around them, and I would not expect that he was looking for an agreement right now.
“He has a lot of money that makes his way from Milwaukee. It potentially has all the resources of the world at hand out there. I think there will be a decision that makes months from now rather than days and weeks now.”
Lillard may not be the same player when he returns from an injury, but it was exceptional for the Bucks last season. He scored on average 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 37.6 percent from 3 points.
Look at the entire episode of The outside of C’season With Mannix, Chris Forsberg, Drew Carter and Kevin O’Connor below: