Dec 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

'Tatum Has Been Active in Recruiting Him to Boston' – Boston Celtics Named as Potential Free Agent Destination for 9-Time NBA All-Star

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 7:54 AM ET

The Boston Celtics have been labeled as one of the top free agent destinations for Damian Lillard , and Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe believes Jayson Tatum is at the forefront of the recruitment of the former Milwaukee Bucks guard.

According to Washburn, the Boston Celtics are interested in offering Lillard a multi-year deal with the plan of letting him recover from his torn Achilles like Tatum to make a championship run by the time they’re 100 percent healthy.

“Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Celtics are indeed one of them,” Washburn wrote.

Apr 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a three point basket by Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) (not pictured) against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

“According to NBA sources, 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,” he added.

Boston Celtics News: Brad Stevens gets 100% honest on the team’s rebuild

Following Jayson Tatum’s injury and the Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis trades, many expect the Boston Celtics to take a step back in 2025-26, but Brad Stevens is not having any of it.

Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens Drops Truth Bomb on Losing to the New York Knicks in the 2025 Playoffs 3 Feb 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens on the court before the start of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

As he reiterated previously, the Boston Celtics president said his team remains committed to putting their best foot forward even without their best player.

“We’ve got a really good foundation. Obviously, when you talk about not being maybe as top-heavy as we’ve been in the past, then you think, well, we’ve got Jaylen Brown. We’ve got Derrick White, we’ve got Pritchard. Those guys have been through a lot, and they’ve won a lot of games,” Stevens said in Las Vegas.