One of the most talked-about names in NBA free agency continues to be Damian Lillard, whose future remains uncertain following his departure from the Milwaukee Bucks. While several contenders have been mentioned as potential landing spots, nothing concrete has materialized. Now, a new team appears to be entering the race for the nine-time All-Star.
ClutchPointsā Brett Siegel recently reported that the Miami Heat are once again in the mix to acquire Lillard, marking the second time in three offseasons the franchise has shown serious interest in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team member.
āDamian Lillard is in no rush to decide on his future,ā Siegel wrote Tuesday evening. āAfter suffering a torn Achilles and being released by the Bucks, Lillard and his camp have talked with several notable teams in playoff-contending positions, league sources said.ā
In the immediate aftermath of the Bucksā decision to waive the future Hall of Famer on Monday, Siegel highlighted a few top destinations for the veteran guardāteams that have been linked to Lillard even prior to his move to Milwaukee in 2023.
Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks warms up before Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
āThe Heat have long been linked to Lillard even before he was traded to the Bucks in 2023, and both the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors find themselves near the top of the list for Lillard as well,ā Siegel noted.
see also
Tyler Herroās teammate leaves Miami, signs $48 million deal with Cade Cunninghamās Pistons
Miami recently made headlines by completing a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz, acquiring veteran scorer Norman Powell from the Clippers. The move strengthens Miamiās backcourt depth and shows the team remains aggressive in the offseason market.
Heat president Pat Riley and the front office earned praise from NBA insiders for pulling off the deal, which gives All-Star guard Tyler Herro a potential running mate in the backcourt. Adding someone like Lillard would further elevate Miamiās aspirations as a title contender.
In 58 appearances with the Bucks during the 2024ā25 regular season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. He shot 37.6% from three-point range on 9.0 attempts per game and hit 92.1% of his free throws. Even in the later stages of his career, Lillard remains one of the leagueās most dynamic and impactful guardsācapable of shifting the trajectory of any franchise he joins.
