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New Damian Lillard Speculation Emerges After Release From Bucks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 9:09 PM ET

The basketball world woke up on Tuesday to Damian Lillard’s sudden availability, with the Milwaukee Bucks officially waiving Lillard and electing to stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract, moves designed to clear space for the newly acquired Myles Turner on a four‑year, $107 million deal.

Lillard’s departure arrives on the heels of a torn left Achilles tendon suffered in April during Game 4 of Milwaukee’s first‑round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, an injury that was originally expected to sideline him for the majority (if not entirety) of the 2025‑26 season.

Yet, late Tuesday, veteran reporter Marc Spears dropped a note that reshapes the narrative: sources close to Lillard believe he could be ready to resume game action as early as the NBA’s 2026 All‑Star break, roughly mid‑February.

"So if he signs with a team, it may well be a two-year deal," Spears said. "Which gives him a very economical deal for that team, but also allows him to do a two-year kind of tryout, see how it is, see if this is a place he could be long-term."

Marc Spears on Damian Lillard:

"He's ecstatic. There's about double-digit number of teams calling, interested in him. When will Dame be back? There's some speculation that he could be back around the all star break. If he signs with a team, it's probably gonna be a 2-year deal" pic.twitter.com/k1Va5q5tYF
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 1, 2025

That timetable is significantly earlier than the season‑long recovery most projected, and it immediately alters both Lillard’s free‑agency appeal and the bidding landscape.

If he actually returns in February, contending teams might be willing to offer more, viewing him as a half‑season rental with postseason upside.

With Lillard’s timeline now pegged to February 2026, several franchises emerge as logical suitors, including the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Heat have routinely been mentioned as heavy hitters in free‑agency chatter. Per Tim Reynolds, Miami is "no surprise" among teams expected to express interest in Lillard’s services, thanks to their culture, cap flexibility and desire for another go‑to scorer in the East.

Houston, meanwhile, still sits just below the apron after trading for Kevin Durant and signing Dorian Finney‑Smith and Clint Capela, making the Rockets another viable option.

Other teams like the Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Clippers could also circle, although cap constraints and roster construction might limit their pursuit.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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