Celtics reportedly one of 3 teams interested in Damian Lillard

In what Brian Windhorst described compared to memortgaging your mortgage in order or purchase a sports car, the Milwaukee Bucks waived and stretched the remaining years owed on Damian Lillard's supermax contract yesterday in order to sign Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers. Despite expressing a refusal to be traded to Boston two offseasons ago according to a report by the Athletic the Celtics are one of the three teams that Damian Lillard is considering signing with now that he is a free agent:

According to the report, the Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors are the three teams vying for Lillard's service as of right now, but expect that number to get much higher. Teams are opperating under the assumption that since Lillard is just pocketting the $112 million owed to him by the Bucks that he will sign with a new team for cheap.

That's a pretty big assumption though. LeBron has pocketted how much in his career and he still wouldn't take any pay cut at all in order to improve his chances at a fifth title. With the exception of Jalen Brunson last offseason, it's very rare for stars to leave significant amounts of money on the table, no matter how much they've already made.

Most professional athletes try to maximize as much money as they can during their short window of playing. We can say, "Well what's the big difference if you make $450 or $500 million for your career? You will still have your family set up for generations!" but again players rarely walk away from a ton of money. It should also be noted that NBA owners despite their billions will still let free agents walk in order not to pay some extra millions in taxes.

Assuming Damian Lillard is now keen on playing in Boston, he would have to prefer coming here enough to offset a better offer from another team. The Celtics would also most likely have to move off on all three Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, and Georges Niang a with miminmal contracts coming back in return in order to even be allowed to offer Lillard more than just the vet minimum.

The plan would be then for Tatum and Lillard to rehab this year and then next summer add some front court help to the remaining core that includes Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. That would be the sell that Brad Stevens will at least present to Lillard and his agent if Damian is open to coming to Boston.


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