Damian Lillard is expected to draw interest from multiple teams when he officially becomes a free agent, but one top Eastern Conference contender seems to have emerged as a favorite to sign the star point guard. Lillard has interest in joining the Boston Celtics, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. The Celtics were not on Lillard’s list of preferred destinations when he asked the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him in 2023, but Washburn notes that Lillard has since built a “close friendship” with Jayson Tatum. Not surprisingly, the interest between Lillard and the Celtics is said to be mutual. Like Lillard, Tatum is recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered during the playoffs. The two would be able to rehab together if Lillard were to sign with Boston. Lillard is reportedly thrilled that the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. There will be a salary offset for any team that signs him either next season or in 2026-27. That means the Bucks would only owe the difference between their original salary to L
