Apr 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Damian Lillard Reveals Text Message From Jrue Holiday After Free Agency

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 5:05 PM ET

Earlier this month, Damian Lillard was shockingly waived by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite the fact that he is rehabbing an injury, he is still coming off another All-Star season.

After hitting free agency, Lillard revealed that new Portland Trail Blazers star Jrue Holiday sent him a text message.

Via Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report: "Damian Lillard said today at his kids camp in Beaverton that as soon as he got waived, Jrue Holiday texted him the emoji. Also said he was trying to get Jrue to Portland in 2021 when he was traded from New Orleans to Milwaukee."

Damian Lillard said today at his kids camp in Beaverton that as soon as he got waived, Jrue Holiday texted him the emoji. Also said he was trying to get Jrue to Portland in 2021 when he was traded from New Orleans to Milwaukee.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 23, 2025

Holiday was traded to the Trail Blazers after spending the last two seasons playing for the Boston Celtics.

The 2024 NBA Champion finished this past year with averages of 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.3% from the three-point range.

Via Evan Sidery of Forbes: "The Trail Blazers’ current projected rotation next season:

Starters: Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan

Second Unit: Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, Yang Hansen, Robert Williams

Portland will be an elite defensive team."

The Trail Blazers have been unable to make the NBA playoffs since 2021 (when Lillard was with the team).

Earlier this week, they officially signed Lillard (after he had spent the last two seasons in Milwaukee).