Jayson Tatum Actively Recruiting Damian Lillard to Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum is actively recruiting Damian Lillard to the Boston Celtics, according to NBA reporter Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.

Lillard is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career after getting waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Tatum and Lillard are close friends. Both All-Stars suffered Achilles injuries in the 2025 playoffs.

“Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Boston Celtics are indeed one of them,” Washburn wrote. “The nine-time All-Star is in no hurry to sign, but the Celtics are interested in a multi-year deal that would allow him to return fully healthy from his torn Achilles for the 2026-27 season in a Celtics uniform along with a healed Tatum for a title run.

“According to NBA sources, Jayson Tatum has been active in recruiting Lillard to Boston, and the market for the point guard is limited because his injury will prevent him from likely playing most of next season. Lillard sustained his injury on April 27, 15 days prior to Tatum’s injury.”

Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

A top 75 player of all time, Lillard tore his left Achilles on April 27.

Tatum appeared in 72 games for the Celtics last season. He averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 45.2% overall, 34.3% from 3 and 81.4% from the foul line.

A six-time All-Star, Tatum tore his right Achilles on May 12.

The Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship against the Dallas Mavericks but lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs.

To save money, Boston traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks this offseason.

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