The 2025 NBA free agency has been a surprising one, especially for the Milwaukee Bucks. Before they secured their new starting center, Myles Turner, the front office waived the injured Damian Lillard. The nine-time All-Star is rehabbing his torn Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season. However, no one thought the Bucks would let him go with nothing in return.
Now that Lillard is without a team, he has the freedom to choose which organization he'll play for next. Despite suffering from a season-ending injury, the former Portland Trail Blazers star is still sought after by most teams, including the Miami Heat.
Before landing in Milwaukee, Lillard expressed his desire to play alongside Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat. Now that Butler is gone, though, the franchise is still interested in the former Weber State guard to be part of their roster.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard.
Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
According to "The Stein Line," the Heat are interested in striking a potential deal with Lillard, even though he'll spend most of the time rehabbing. Additionally, Miami is monitoring Bradley Beal, who's still with the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns and Beal are reportedly exploring options on a potential contract buyout. The NBA insiders reported that if Phoenix buys out the contract of the three-time All-Star, they could add him to the team.
“The Heat, meanwhile, have serious interest in signing Lillard as well as exploring the prospect of adding a bought-out Beal. Yet it's fair to wonder why Lillard would be looking to sign quickly with any team unless he's searching for organizational support as he rehabs from his own Achilles tear," the report read.
"Our good friend Chris Haynes reported Thursday evening that Lillard is indeed in no rush to make any decision about his future despite receiving plenty of interest from the Heat and several other teams.”
While the Heat isn't the biggest rival of the Bucks, there's still concern about the potential of an Eastern Conference team to improve and become a threat. The good news is: Lillard will continue to miss time as he recovers.
