The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are the front-runners in the fight to sign a nine-time NBA All-Star.
The NBA’s free-agency frenzy has shaken up the league’s landscape, with most of the biggest names having signed with their new teams.
Myles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks as the biggest signing of the offseason so far, meanwhile, Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets, and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers.
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The Lakers were eerily quiet in a disappointing start to free agency. They have since made some moves, however, picking up Deandre Ayton to fill their hole at center, and there is still a big name left on the open market.
LA Lakers and Boston Celtics lead the fight for Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard was not a name that many expected to be available in free agency. The Milwaukee Bucks waived the star guard following his Achilles tear in the first round of the playoffs, upsetting Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Lillard was unhappy in Milwaukee. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that he had to “actively make sure he wasn’t miserable” there. When he left the Trailblazers, he intended to go to a big market, but instead, he was traded to the Bucks.
“Dame never wanted to be in Milwaukee. He was a pro & tried to make the best of it. He didn’t want to be there. He had to like actively try to make sure he wasn’t miserable. And now; hey, if he still wants to get to Miami, that’s probably going to be on the table.” @espn_macmahon https://t.co/r2ztaWBCY7 pic.twitter.com/TTpJrB1nia
— Dru (@dru_star) July 2, 2025
Now he has the opportunity to choose where he goes, and according to The Athletic, the Lakers and Celtics are interested. They are the two most successful NBA franchises. Markets don’t come much bigger than those.
The Celtics are a great option. Jayson Tatum, who also tore his Achilles, is set to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season and will return to action at a similar time to Lillard.
