Damian Lillard Says He's Not A 'Gamble' amid NBA Rumors after Being Waived by Bucks

Damian Lillard is confident in his abilities as the free agent ponders his options after the Milwaukee Bucks waived the nine-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA player on Tuesday.

Lillard, who is rehabbing a torn Achilles suffered last April during the first round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, is open to signing with a team this offseason, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.

Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season. Sadly, a torn Achilles could very well keep him off the court for the 2025-26 season.

Ultimately, the Bucks decided to move on from Lillard, using the stretch provision to sign ex-Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract.

It appears Lillard could sign with a team this offseason even if he wouldn't take the court until 2026. There's clearly interest already.

The Athletic's Eric Nehm, Sam Amick and Joe Vardon reported that the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are "known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later."

The Miami Heat have also been connected to Lillard, per The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.

Haynes also connected Lillard to the Heat while also mentioning his old team, the Portland Trail Blazers, as well during an appearance on NBATV Tuesday.

Ultimately, Lillard has no shortage of interest, and it's clear (understandably so, given his track record) that teams feel he'll have something left in the tank even after he returns from a potentially long layover.