Key Takeaways
- The Boston Celtics have been linked to Damian Lillard, who was recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Franchise star Jayson Tatum is reportedly recruiting Lillard to Beantown, who is also rehabbing an Achilles tear.
- If the C's want to become a title contender again in 2026-27, signing Dame to pair with Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a must.
ayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Damian Lillard (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics are going to have a very different look in 2025-26. They’ve traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis already this summer, while franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum is rehabbing a torn Achilles and will miss all of next season. While Brad Stevens refuses to use the word rebuild when discussing the direction of this franchise, it’s hard to imagine them competing for a playoff spot next year, at least.
Rumors have surfaced that Tatum is actively trying to recruit Damian Lillard to Beantown. The guard was recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks as he rehabs a torn Achilles of his own that was also sustained in the playoffs. Dame could wait to choose a team closer to the 2026-27 season, or he may make a decision sooner. Keep in mind, he will likely miss all of ‘25-26, too.
The Celtics will have a healthy duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown two seasons from now, but the supporting cast may be lacking. Holiday and Porzingis were both key cogs who played a vital part in helping Boston win an NBA title in 2024. Signing Lillard would give the C’s a legitimate Big 3 who can all get buckets.
Of course, there’s always risk here. Dame will be coming off a major injury and will be over 35 by the time he takes the court again. However, he’s a nine-time All-Star who didn’t miss a beat in 2024-25, averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per contest for the Bucks alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s always been a high-level offensive player, and there’s little doubt that will change post-injury.
The question is, would he be okay with potentially being the third option on the Celtics? Tatum is still going to be the top dog, while Brown is likely No. 2. Dame’s role could be different than any he’s had in his NBA career. There’s no guarantee he’ll be No. 3, but it is possible. Nevertheless, Lillard is still a cold-blooded scorer who would improve this squad immensely if he wants to buy in.
The Celtics are one of the few teams that are showing interest in Lillard, joining the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors. Tatum is reportedly looking to sway Dame’s decision, whether he makes it now or later on in his recovery process. Joining Boston would allow him to compete for his first-ever title. Tatum and Brown already have that championship experience. They’ve also been to the depths of the playoffs countless times during their tenure with the franchise. Adding a player like Dame to the puzzle with his talent and resume would be scary hours.
Kevin Durant said himself just how special Tatum and Lillard are as they go through a similar injury as he did back in his Warriors days:
"Those guys are cut from a cloth that they're rare individuals," Durant said on the "Mind the Game" podcast. "This is just a little stoppage in their journey that they're just going to have to sit down and lock in on.
I think it'll be easy for them to lock in once they truly grasp that 'I'm gonna be out for a year.' Initially that takes a few weeks for you to truly understand. This is probably the first time in their whole lives they gotta sit down and not play. They physically can't play. That's probably the first time they've had to go through that."
The Dubs and Heat will definitely be doing everything they can to try and lure in Lillard as well, but having Tatum in his ear is helpful here. Considering Dame’s age, this is why he’s not generating interest from more clubs. But, that’s beneficial for the Celtics as they try to make their squad a title threat again in the coming years.
It’s understandable why C’s fans aren’t exactly optimistic about the future right now. But pursuing Lillard would be a major step in the right direction in their hopes of returning to the Promised Land. Not many teams in the Association will be able to beat a Tatum-Brown-Lillard pairing. It could be electric.
