The Bucks' former star nearly joined another Eastern Conference contender.
The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA world early in free agency, but it nearly backfired on them.
After losing in the first round for the third straight year, the Bucks needed to do everything they could to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and build a contending team around him. While it remains to be seen if the moves actually helped Milwaukee become a top-tier team in the East again, an effort was clearly made to begin the offseason.
The Bucks signed Myles Turner to a four-year deal, but they also had to waive and stretch Damian Lillard in the process. Lillard had spent the past two seasons with the Bucks, but his pairing with Antetokounmpo saw limited success, with injuries playing a massive role.
With Lillard on the free agent market for the first time, he saw plenty of potential suitors make offers, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting over a dozen teams making a run at the All-Star. After a couple of weeks to look over his options, Lillard opted for a homecoming, returning to the Portland Trail Blazers, the team he spent the first 11 seasons of his career with.
While it was a happy ending for Milwaukee to see Lillard find a new home after things didn’t work out, there was a possibility that sending Lillard into free agency would have negative consequences. Charania reported that Lillard “really considered” going to the Boston Celtics, one of Milwaukee’s biggest rivals and competitors in the Eastern Conference title picture.
While Lillard will miss all of next season, his return in 2026-27 alongside Jayson Tatum could have vaulted Boston back to the top of the East and hindered the Bucks’ hopes of winning with Antetokounmpo. Instead, Lillard is back in the West, and Milwaukee can keep building its team without having to worry about its former point guard seeking revenge.
Category: Basketball
