Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum remains engaged in the team’s offseason activities while rehabbing his surgically repaired Achilles tendon.
After the Celtics traded away veterans Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, Tatum aims to reload the team in time for his return for the 2026-27 season.
Tatum has been actively recruiting fellow injured NBA star Damian Lillard, according to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn.
“Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Celtics are indeed one of them. 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,” Washburn wrote.
Misery loves company.
Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs on April 27, 2025.
Celtics Have Strong Competition for Damian Lillard
Getty Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is recruiting Damian Lillard. Will they end up as teammates?
The Celtics are just one of the few teams interested in signing Lillard despite no guarantee he would play next season, according to The Athletic.
“Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke. League sources say the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later,” per The Athletic report.
The Warriors would be the Celtics’ strongest competition for the services of Lillard, who grew up in Oakland. But Lillard and the Celtics have mutual interest, according to the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.
Lillard sent a strong message amid the Celtics and several contending teams’ reported interest in signing him while he is still on the mend.
“If they call it a ‘gamble’ at this stage… tell ’em this [is] the jackpot. #ToBeContinued,” Lillard posted on X on July 3.
The Bucks stunningly waived Lillard to sign center Myles Turner in free agency.
Damian Lillard Open to Signing While Rehabbing
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported shortly after the Bucks decided to waive Lillard and stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract that the 34-year-old point guard was “elated” as it afforded him freedom to choose where he plays next without financial constraints.
Lillard can sign for the minimum and still earn the $113 million the Bucks owe him, albeit stretched in five years with equal $22.5 million payments.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Lillard is open to signing with a team this offseason while undergoing rehabilitation from his devastating injury, but it will only happen “under the right terms and conditions.”
Those terms and conditions were not disclosed.
The 34-year-old Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds in his two seasons in Milwaukee.
