League sources say the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later. The question is whether he 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.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
2025 NBA Free Agency: Top 10 free agents still available
Damian Lillard is on this list now.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/2025-… – 7:50 AM
2025 NBA Free Agency: Top 10 free agents still available
Damian Lillard is on this list now.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/2025-… – 7:50 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🦌 Bucks Waive Damian Lillard. Sign Myles Turner
SGA’s Record Extension
🏀 Duncan Robinson to Detroit
🎙 @MikeAScotto & Ryan McDonough Join Us!
📻 Listen: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-622-5867 pic.x.com/M4ChYJvOvW – 7:02 AM
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🦌 Bucks Waive Damian Lillard. Sign Myles Turner
SGA’s Record Extension🏀 Duncan Robinson to Detroit
🎙 @MikeAScotto & Ryan McDonough Join Us!
📻 Listen: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-622-5867 pic.x.com/M4ChYJvOvW – 7:02 AM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Golden State is interested in bringing Lillard back to his hometown region (the Bay Area),ESPN reports tonight. Lillard will have plenty of options. Heat likes Lillard but is out of roster spots at the moment. Lillard hasn’t decided when to sign (could wait weeks or many months) – 2:14 AM
Golden State is interested in bringing Lillard back to his hometown region (the Bay Area),ESPN reports tonight. Lillard will have plenty of options. Heat likes Lillard but is out of roster spots at the moment. Lillard hasn’t decided when to sign (could wait weeks or many months) – 2:14 AM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X talking about NBA free agency, where Damian Lillard might end up and could he be in LA, when will Chris Paul sign with the Clippers, when will Deandre Ayton sign with the Lakers and who has the best chance to win a title? x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:17 AM
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X talking about NBA free agency, where Damian Lillard might end up and could he be in LA, when will Chris Paul sign with the Clippers, when will Deandre Ayton sign with the Lakers and who has the best chance to win a title? x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:17 AM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Going live now with @MotorCityHoops to break down today’s Free Agency Madness,
-Lillard Waived
-Myles Turner to MIL
-Duncan Robinson to DET
-Nuggets strike again
-Raptors get into the mix.
-More.
youtube.com/live/2acJroYMk… pic.x.com/jUtP7zQXIg – 8:14 PM
Going live now with @MotorCityHoops to break down today’s Free Agency Madness,
-Lillard Waived
-Myles Turner to MIL
-Duncan Robinson to DET
-Nuggets strike again
-Raptors get into the mix.
-More.
youtube.com/live/2acJroYMk… pic.x.com/jUtP7zQXIg – 8:14 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“[Damian Lillard] is ecstatic. His agent told me this is an incredible opportunity for him. He gets to be a free agent two years early.”
@MarcJSpears shares Dame’s reaction after being waived from the Bucks 🏀 pic.x.com/tieAoWNacj – 7:33 PM
“[Damian Lillard] is ecstatic. His agent told me this is an incredible opportunity for him. He gets to be a free agent two years early.”
@MarcJSpears shares Dame’s reaction after being waived from the Bucks 🏀 pic.x.com/tieAoWNacj – 7:33 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
I’m so fascinated by the Lillard situation. Does a team sign him now ahead of a lost year? Is he looking for another sizable contract on top of what he had left in MIL? What’s the best team for his timeline & outlook at this point in his career?
Miami makes most sense to me. – 6:01 PM
I’m so fascinated by the Lillard situation. Does a team sign him now ahead of a lost year? Is he looking for another sizable contract on top of what he had left in MIL? What’s the best team for his timeline & outlook at this point in his career?
Miami makes most sense to me. – 6:01 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Winners, Losers from Bucks shocking waiving of Damian Lillard, signing Myles Turner
nbcsports.com/nba/news/winne… – 5:57 PM
Winners, Losers from Bucks shocking waiving of Damian Lillard, signing Myles Turner
nbcsports.com/nba/news/winne… – 5:57 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Though some good players agreed to deals at the minimum (Hardaway with Denver; Nance with Cleveland; Clarkson with Knicks), I kind of like Heat keeping open 15th spot for Lillard or any other surprising cuts. I love the idea of front-loading a two-year Lillard contract using – 5:47 PM
Though some good players agreed to deals at the minimum (Hardaway with Denver; Nance with Cleveland; Clarkson with Knicks), I kind of like Heat keeping open 15th spot for Lillard or any other surprising cuts. I love the idea of front-loading a two-year Lillard contract using – 5:47 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
The Bucks decided to waive-and-stretch the $112.6 million owed to Damian Lillard. That’s not only the largest stretch-waive ever in NBA history, it’s more than the total sum of the 3 previous largest stretch-waive contracts I could find (Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Nic Batum) – 5:40 PM
The Bucks decided to waive-and-stretch the $112.6 million owed to Damian Lillard. That’s not only the largest stretch-waive ever in NBA history, it’s more than the total sum of the 3 previous largest stretch-waive contracts I could find (Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Nic Batum) – 5:40 PM
David MacKay @DavidMacKayNBA
The business side of basketball is cold, but I’m happy for Damian Lillard overall. Gets his money, gets to choose his next team, really attacking his rehab — the world is his oyster. – 4:35 PM
The business side of basketball is cold, but I’m happy for Damian Lillard overall. Gets his money, gets to choose his next team, really attacking his rehab — the world is his oyster. – 4:35 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Tune in to NBA Today 🚨 4-7p ET w/ @TermineRadio & @DarthAmin on Ch. 86
😳 Bucks waive Lillard and add Turner
🏀 Rockets, Nuggets and Hawks drastically improve
Free Agency coverage continues now!!!
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.x.com/XyuMOPSdhZ – 4:08 PM
Tune in to NBA Today 🚨 4-7p ET w/ @TermineRadio & @DarthAmin on Ch. 86
😳 Bucks waive Lillard and add Turner
🏀 Rockets, Nuggets and Hawks drastically improve
Free Agency coverage continues now!!!
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.x.com/XyuMOPSdhZ – 4:08 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Best free agents available by position
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Jonathan Kuminga
PF: Chris Boucher
C: Deandre Ayton
hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba… – 3:57 PM
Best free agents available by position
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Jonathan Kuminga
PF: Chris Boucher
C: Deandre Ayton
hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba… – 3:57 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Intel here on what’s next for Damian Lillard, who now finds himself in the sort of powerful position not often seen in pro sports and who, sources say, is quite pleased with this outcome, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64657… – 1:27 PM
Intel here on what’s next for Damian Lillard, who now finds himself in the sort of powerful position not often seen in pro sports and who, sources say, is quite pleased with this outcome, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64657… – 1:27 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“You just burnt a lot of stuff”
🔊 @DarthAmin reacts to the #Bucks waiving Damian Lillard
Hear us break down all the Free Agency moves all day long on NBA Radio!
sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.x.com/kEYZVjIxJJ – 1:26 PM
“You just burnt a lot of stuff”
🔊 @DarthAmin reacts to the #Bucks waiving Damian Lillard
Hear us break down all the Free Agency moves all day long on NBA Radio!
sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.x.com/kEYZVjIxJJ – 1:26 PM
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Damian Lillard’s agent Aaron Goodwin on his client leaving Milwaukee and his future:
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Damian. He receives all of his money guaranteed, and it provides him an opportunity to decide his next destination as an unrestricted free agent. He gets a pic.x.com/01qi2QlLRF – 1:22 PM
Damian Lillard’s agent Aaron Goodwin on his client leaving Milwaukee and his future:
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Damian. He receives all of his money guaranteed, and it provides him an opportunity to decide his next destination as an unrestricted free agent. He gets a pic.x.com/01qi2QlLRF – 1:22 PM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Bucks waive Dame Lillard to Land Myles Turner in Major Offseason Shakeup sportando.basketball/en/bucks-waive… – 1:18 PM
Bucks waive Dame Lillard to Land Myles Turner in Major Offseason Shakeup sportando.basketball/en/bucks-waive… – 1:18 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I wonder if Portland would have any interest in signing Damian Lillard to a one-year minimum contract.
He could rehab near his family and use the Blazers facility, and they might like having him around for the young guys.
Then he could join a contender when healthy in 2026. – 1:09 PM
I wonder if Portland would have any interest in signing Damian Lillard to a one-year minimum contract.
He could rehab near his family and use the Blazers facility, and they might like having him around for the young guys.
Then he could join a contender when healthy in 2026. – 1:09 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
NEW from @flasportsbuzz and me: It has been a quiet start to free agency for the Heat. Where things stand, as the East continues to evolve miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… More on Duncan Robinson, Damian Lillard, the Heat’s cap situation and other stuff – 1:00 PM
NEW from @flasportsbuzz and me: It has been a quiet start to free agency for the Heat. Where things stand, as the East continues to evolve miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… More on Duncan Robinson, Damian Lillard, the Heat’s cap situation and other stuff – 1:00 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Myles Turner is a good player on a fair deal, but the Bucks mortgaged their future in order to acquire him.
Why waiving-and-stretching Lillard was the wrong move, and what comes next:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/milwauk… – 12:58 PM
Myles Turner is a good player on a fair deal, but the Bucks mortgaged their future in order to acquire him.
Why waiving-and-stretching Lillard was the wrong move, and what comes next:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/milwauk… – 12:58 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
I suspect Dame doesn’t even know yet what his next move is, not sure why anyone else would – 12:58 PM
I suspect Dame doesn’t even know yet what his next move is, not sure why anyone else would – 12:58 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
What kind of production are people expecting from Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, or Tyrese Haliburton in 2025-26?
Those last three I don’t expect to play at all. If Irving is back before March (and/or playing at a star level at any point), I’d be surprised. – 12:45 PM
What kind of production are people expecting from Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, or Tyrese Haliburton in 2025-26?
Those last three I don’t expect to play at all. If Irving is back before March (and/or playing at a star level at any point), I’d be surprised. – 12:45 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Make a prediction about Damian Lillard’s career the rest of the way. – 12:38 PM
Make a prediction about Damian Lillard’s career the rest of the way. – 12:38 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard Achilles injuries altered courses for Pacers and Bucks. Haliburton’s injury gave Pacers pause paying luxury tax and led to them losing Myles Turner to Bucks, who will waive and stretch Dame to add Turner to compete around Giannis Antetokounmpo – 12:20 PM
Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard Achilles injuries altered courses for Pacers and Bucks. Haliburton’s injury gave Pacers pause paying luxury tax and led to them losing Myles Turner to Bucks, who will waive and stretch Dame to add Turner to compete around Giannis Antetokounmpo – 12:20 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
At @TheAthletic: Bucks waiving Damian Lillard to make room to sign Myles Turner nytimes.com/athletic/64657… – 12:18 PM
At @TheAthletic: Bucks waiving Damian Lillard to make room to sign Myles Turner nytimes.com/athletic/64657… – 12:18 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Per source, Lillard will spend some time deciding whether he wants to sign multi-year deal with team and rehab a year or just sit out a year without being on a team. Whether Heat would pursue remains to be seen. He has always liked Miami, as you all know, and that hasn’t changed, – 12:12 PM
Per source, Lillard will spend some time deciding whether he wants to sign multi-year deal with team and rehab a year or just sit out a year without being on a team. Whether Heat would pursue remains to be seen. He has always liked Miami, as you all know, and that hasn’t changed, – 12:12 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
💢🚨Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly “not pleased” with the Bucks’ decision to waive Damian Lillard pic.x.com/rXCDrKGfHq – 12:09 PM
💢🚨Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly “not pleased” with the Bucks’ decision to waive Damian Lillard pic.x.com/rXCDrKGfHq – 12:09 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Time for Free Agent Fever on @NBATV with @NabilKarimTV, @GregAnthony50, Ryan McDonough and myself. Tune in now for Giannis, Dame, Bucks chatter. pic.x.com/LyVedfELX2 – 11:56 AM
Time for Free Agent Fever on @NBATV with @NabilKarimTV, @GregAnthony50, Ryan McDonough and myself. Tune in now for Giannis, Dame, Bucks chatter. pic.x.com/LyVedfELX2 – 11:56 AM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Don’t feel bad for Damian Lillard. This is a win-win. Dame had a player option for next summer that he was considering not exercising. No secret living away from family in Milwaukee was a challenge. So he gets his $ and is now an unrestricted free agent free to go where HE wants. – 11:56 AM
Don’t feel bad for Damian Lillard. This is a win-win. Dame had a player option for next summer that he was considering not exercising. No secret living away from family in Milwaukee was a challenge. So he gets his $ and is now an unrestricted free agent free to go where HE wants. – 11:56 AM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
BREAKING: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with the team’s decision to waive Damian Lillard, league sources tell me. pic.x.com/NGqJIWRQeq – 11:39 AM
BREAKING: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not pleased with the team’s decision to waive Damian Lillard, league sources tell me. pic.x.com/NGqJIWRQeq – 11:39 AM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
The Damian Lillard trade had risk and the worst-case scenario ended up happening.
They’re down Jrue, an unprotected first, two swaps, and now have to pay Lillard $22.5 million a year not to play for the next five years. – 11:29 AM
The Damian Lillard trade had risk and the worst-case scenario ended up happening.
They’re down Jrue, an unprotected first, two swaps, and now have to pay Lillard $22.5 million a year not to play for the next five years. – 11:29 AM
More on this storyline
“Well, I think there was always thought around Damian Lillard that if the opportunity were to present himself — were to present itself — he will, he could one day figure out a means to get back to Portland, where he still keeps an offseason home, where he was around for, I’d say, a good portion of the month of June to my understanding. People with the Blazers like see Dame because he’s just — he’s a Portland guy. He has a whole kind of estate out there. He loves the area. He’s helped, I think, sell players on Portland over the years and has still done so and still been a resource, to my understanding, to players when they arrive in Portland or they’re being, you know, considered a target for Portland or what have you.” -via YouTube / July 2, 2025
Oh No He Didn’t: Marc Spears on Damian Lillard: “He’s ecstatic. There’s about double-digit number of teams calling, interested in him. When will Dame be back? There’s some speculation that he could be back around the all star break. If he signs with a team, it’s probably gonna be a 2-year deal” -via Bluesky / July 2, 2025
Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams very quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke. The question now is whether he wants to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under their care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation. -via New York Times / July 2, 2025