NBA · 6 months ago

Top 5 Landing Spots for Damian Lillard Following Stunning Milwaukee Bucks Release

John Canady

Host · Writer

5) Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are a team that seems to be an elite point guard away from becoming true contenders in the East. Lillard wouldn't be able to offer that right away, but if he's able to return to the level he was playing at before he was injured, he'd be the perfect backcourt option. Adding Lillard to the rotation would give the Magic a chance to make a legit run.
Top 5 Landing Spots for Damian Lillard
Once considered one of the top players in the league, Damian Lillard now finds himself on the open market following the surprising news of the Milwaukee Bucks waiving the star guard on Tuesday. Lillard is set to miss the majority of next season, if not the entirety, while recovering from an Achilles rupture. Still, that likely won't stop teams interested in signing the elite guard to a cheap deal with their sights set on the 2026-27 season. That said, here's a look at five landing spots that make the most sense for Lillard.

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1) Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are a team that not only makes sense to take a swing on Lillard's recovery, but they'd also add a talented player to their championship window with Kevin Durant in the picture. Lillard would get the chance to recover this season and keep the small hope alive for a return late next season. If the Rockets do indeed make a deep playoff run, he'd have the chance to contend for the next few years with a talented roster and a top head coach in Ime Udoka.

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2) Miami Heat
The Miami Heat were Lillard's preferred landing spot when he initially requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Whether the guard still has the desire to play in South Beach is unknown, but Pat Riley could finally get the chance to land Lillard at a discount, something he tried to do when the star was playing at an elite level.
3) San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs make sense simply due to the contending team they're slowly assembling. The likelihood that they could be a squad that makes sense for Lillard to sign with now, in hopes of a return next season to help the young roster, seems high.
4) Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are in the midst of a complete roster shakeup as they prepare for life without Jayson Tatum next season, who's recovering from a ruptured Achilles as well. Tatum and Lillard are close friends, and if they were to consider going through the rehab process together and attacking the 2026-27 season with a vengeance, the opportunity is there for the taking. Brad Stevens could score the star guard at an extreme discount.
5) Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are a team that seems to be an elite point guard away from becoming true contenders in the East. Lillard wouldn't be able to offer that right away, but if he's able to return to the level he was playing at before he was injured, he'd be the perfect backcourt option. Adding Lillard to the rotation would give the Magic a chance to make a legit run.
Top 5 Landing Spots for Damian Lillard
Once considered one of the top players in the league, Damian Lillard now finds himself on the open market following the surprising news of the Milwaukee Bucks waiving the star guard on Tuesday. Lillard is set to miss the majority of next season, if not the entirety, while recovering from an Achilles rupture. Still, that likely won't stop teams interested in signing the elite guard to a cheap deal with their sights set on the 2026-27 season. That said, here's a look at five landing spots that make the most sense for Lillard.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Top 5 Landing Spots for Damian Lillard Following Stunning Milwaukee Bucks Release

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