Damian Lillard Sends Strong Message Amid Celtics Interest

Nine-time NBA All-Star point guard Damian Lillard sent a strong message amid the Boston Celtics and several contending teams’ reported interest in signing him while he is still on the mend.

“If they call it a ‘gamble’ at this stage… tell ’em this [is] the jackpot. #ToBeContinued,” Lillard posted on X on Thursday, July 3.

The Milwaukee Bucks stunningly waived Lillard to sign center Myles Turner in free agency.

The Celtics are among the group of teams that would want to sign Lillard even if he is expected to miss next season while recovering from his Achilles injury, according to The Athletic.

“Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke. League sources say the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later,” per The Athletic report.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported shortly after the Bucks decided to waive Lillard and stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract that the 34-year-old point guard was “elated” as it afforded him freedom to choose where he plays next without financial constraints.

Lillard can sign for the minimum and still earn the $113 million the Bucks owe him, albeit stretched in five years with equal $22.5 million payments.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Lillard is open to signing with a team this offseason while undergoing rehabilitation from his devastating injury, but it will only happen “under the right terms and conditions.”

Those terms and conditions were not disclosed.

Lillard can have a Jayson Tatum, who is also recovering from an Achilles injury, as his classmate during his rehab if he chooses Boston.

Al Horford Bolting for Warriors?

The Celtics are about to lose their longtime pillar, Al Horford to the Warriors, according to NBA analyst Bill Simmons.

“Horford’s going to Golden State,” Simmons said on “The Bill Simmons” Podcast.

The Celtics wanted to bring back Horford but with Tatum out next season, they are no longer seen as contenders. The 39-year-old center wants to play for a championship at the tail end of his career.

According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Warriors have zeroed in on Horford as their top free agent target.

“League sources say veteran center Al Horford will be a top target for Golden State,” Stein and Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter a few hours before NBA Free Agency opens on June 30.

The Warriors, who are in a win-now mode once again, are looking to add a stretch center to bolster their core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

Celtics Wanted Al Horford Back

Celtics president Brad Stevens made it clear they want Horford, alongside reserve center Luke Kornet, back. But they are about to lose them both.

“I think the biggest thing is, as you look at the rest of the team and what we’re trying to do, there’s no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back,” Stevens told reporters.

Kornet signed with the San Antonio Spurs in free agency for a four-year, $41 million deal. It was the largest contract for the perennial veteran minimum signing.