In a stunning move that reverberated across the NBA landscape, the Milwaukee Bucks have officially waived Damian Lillard to free up roster space for veteran big man Myles Turner. This seismic shift not only punctuates a dramatic end to the Bucks’ pairing with Lillard but also signals a pivotal moment: Milwaukee’s championship window appears to have firmly closed.
With the franchise choosing to pivot, and star Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly displeased with the direction, the team’s commitment to title contention has come into serious question. Now, all eyes shift to Damian Lillard, who faces a season-long recovery from a devastating Achilles injury.
Although he’s expected to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign, this turn of events presents an opportunity: Lillard can plot a comeback in his final prime years, joining a new team poised to maximize his elite scoring prowess and leadership off the bench. Here, we identify the Top 5 destinations where Lillard’s influence could be game-changing, both for him and whichever roster he joins.
1. Boston Celtics
Despite missing Jayson Tatum for the entirety of next season with his own Achilles injury, Boston remains in a prime position to add a veteran superstar who can both fill the playmaking void and mentor their rising core.
The Celtics might be willing to bring Lillard on board, even with Anfernee Simons on board and Jrue Holiday now with Portland. In fact, the timing aligns perfectly. Lillard’s vocal leadership and elite shot-making would immediately stabilize Boston’s backcourt and bolster their East title push.
Pairing Lillard with Derrick White gives head coach Joe Mazzulla lineup flexibility to stagger elite creators and shooters, allowing Lillard to shift into secondary creator/playoff closer roles come postseason. Moreover, the veteran presence could accelerate growth in young wings like Pritchard and Anfernee Simons.
While the team’s rebuild signals a “retool” rather than a teardown, acquiring Lillard could be the bold swing to keep Boston annually in championship conversations.
2. Houston Rockets
Houston continues their offseason with an embarrassment of two-way riches when looking at their depth chart. The Rockets have already made the deal for Kevin Durant; pivoting to Lillard still makes strategic sense when trying to build a superteam.
They possess the requisite assets who can be versatile in lineups, and Lillard could serve as the stabilizing floor general amid a core that includes recently added Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson.
Though Lillard will miss the 2025-26 season rehabbing his Achilles, Houston could build with an eye toward 2026-27, in case they don’t win a title next season. Even if they do, having Dame bolstering their backcourt is nothing but a positive.
Overall, by the time Lillard returns, the Rockets may have matured enough to add another strong piece, creating a foundation for a long-term contender centered around Lillard’s elite two-way shooting and Houston’s emerging two-way talent.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
In L.A., the Lakers remain in constant pursuit of championship-aligned veterans. Despite their current roster shuffle, Los Angeles has the outlets, either via trade or free agency, to assemble a backcourt ready to maximize Lillard’s scoring.
With LeBron James aging around Luka Doncic, Lillard’s ability to carry the offensive burden mid-game would be invaluable, and, with his return planned for 2026, he would slot into a veteran trio perfectly formed for one last title run.
The Lakers have been linked to high-risk/high-reward moves all offseason, and Lillard would be the headline acquisition under that philosophy. Integrating Lillard into a Lakers system known for its isolation sets and high-basketball-IQ veterans would not only elevate their offensive ceiling but also show The King that they want to win right now. Perhaps that means James could extend his time in the NBA another year or two.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have aggressively reshaped their roster in recent seasons, now stacked with star talent like Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac in recent years. Adding Lillard, even with the rehab delay, could tip them over into superteam status: multiple elite ball-handlers, a lockdown defense-first staff, and one of the West’s most lethal offensive arsenals.
Though depth and cap space will be tight, LA’s front office has shown a propensity to push financial boundaries. A trade for Lillard would position them in the rare echelon where three ball-dominant All-Stars coexist, heading into a post-2025-26 season primed for another deep postseason run.
The risk is high because that lineup won’t be very dominant defensively. However, in the era of offense, perhaps Ty Lue can figure something out. If this lineup stays healthy, the Clippers could match the NBA’s best juggernauts.
5. Miami Heat
Miami remains a perennial heartbeat of championship culture, and the Heat were Lillard’s primary trade preference when Portland first explored deals. With Erik Spoelstra’s trusted developmental track record and a roster fortified around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, the Heat would offer Lillard both a winning system and the leadership-driven environment he values.
Joining Miami allows Lillard to integrate gradually post-rehab, easing into competitive roles within a club accustomed to managing veteran legs. Their culture-first identity and playoff resilience align perfectly with Lillard’s killer mentality.
Additionally, Miami’s recent offseason flexibility suggests they could retool around Dame while maintaining their high standards, forming a backcourt pair with Herro ready to make immediate waves after his comeback year.
