Damian Lillard's Top Landing Spots as Bucks Reportedly Waive Star in NBA Free Agency
The Damian Lillard era in Milwaukee has come to an abrupt end after two seasons.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bucks will waive Lillard and the $113 million remaining on his contract using the stretch provision. The move will allow the team to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract, per Charania.
Lillard's future was already unclear just two months removed from undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles suffered in Game 3 of Milwaukee's first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
There's no definite timetable for Lillard to return, but Charania has suggested the nine-time All-Star could be back on the court for the start of the playoffs next season.
If the postseason is a return target date for Lillard, his market could be fairly robust with teams looking for a player who presumably won't cost much to sign for the 2025-26 campaign.
Teams that are looking for shooting help and backcourt depth would certainly make a lot of sense for Lillard. This group would include the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
Considering Lillard's age, the severity of the injury he's recovering from and how little cap space there is across the NBA right now, one option for him would be signing a two-year deal for the league minimum next season and hope to rebuild his value going into 2026-27 if he can return for the postseason.
Houston Rockets
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The Rockets have already nailed the offseason by agreeing to acquire Durant in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, then using the first day of free agency to add Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.
Even with those moves, they still have some flexibility since they are $1.4 million below the first apron.
Houston doesn't need Lillard to be a Finals contender next season. Retaining Fred VanVleet and further development from Amen Thompson as a shooter make this backcourt dangerous enough as it is.
As Lillard enters this final phase of his career, it's safe to assuming that pursuing a championship will be his main priority. There aren't many landing spots that could offer him a chance to do that next season than the Rockets.
Houston's backcourt depth might actually help make the decision easier for Lillard. Thompson can stay on the floor with him and will guard the best perimeter player on the opposing team, allowing Lillard to hide since he was already weak in that area and doesn't figure to be better coming off a torn Achilles.
VanVleet ensures the Rockets don't need a starting-caliber point guard in a playoff setting. Head coach Ime Udoka can put Lillard out there for 8-10 minutes and let him find open shots on the floor when opposing defenses focus their attention on Durant.
If Lillard is able to return for the playoffs next season, this might be the best possible situation he could find for himself as he pursues a title.
San Antonio Spurs
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When the San Antonio Spurs were being talked about as a landing spot for Kevin Durant, one of the reasons they were apprehensive to trade for him was not wanting to sacrifice long-term assets to accelerate their timeline with Victor Wembanyama.
Lillard coming off a torn Achilles isn't going to be close to the same caliber of player as Durant, but signing him would allow them to split the difference between continuing to build for the future around Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and thinking about short-term goals.
The Spurs just did this last season when they acquired Chris Paul to be a veteran leader on the roster and in the locker room, while also helping to steer the offense even after De'Aaron Fox was acquired from the Sacramento Kings in January.
Developing Harper to become the eventual No. 2 alongside Wembanyama is the most important thing for San Antonio this season.
Lillard, who has been praised as a high-character guy throughout his career, could serve the mentor role that Paul played last season. He could also serve as a boost to the offense if they are able to take the next step and make the playoffs.
The Spurs actually finished ninth in three-pointers made per game during the 2024-25 season, but their efficiency was lacking with a 35.7 percent success rate that was tied for 19th.
Miami Heat
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Two years after their initial attempt to acquire Lillard failed, the Heat have another chance to bring him into the fold.
In fact, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported the Heat are one of many teams expected to have interest in signing Lillard.
Just looking at Miami's overall roster talent, it doesn't look like an obvious title contender on paper. The Heat's only move thus far was to bring back Davion Mitchell on a two-year, $24 million deal.
Duncan Robinson exercised his early termination option to become a free agent, but there's some hope he will sign a new deal either to remain with the Heat or facilitate a sign-and-trade with another club.
Lillard could certainly help the Heat next season if they were to make the playoffs and he can return in time, but they are currently looking at running it back with a roster that won 37 games in 2024-25.
The Heat aren't in the habit of trying to rebuild, so staying the course with their main core of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins seems like the direction they are heading.
If you expect some positive regression for the Heat given the lack of great teams in the Eastern Conference, adding Lillard could be a piece that helps in a postseason setting if they can make it into the field.
