Damian Lillard's Celtics interest revealed by Boston insider

Jon Conahan

Damian Lillard's Celtics interest revealed by Boston insider image

Reports have now surfaced that the Boston Celtics are interested in signing Damian Lillard. 

In fact, some have suggested that Jayson Tatum is even attempting to get Lillard on the Celtics. 

Lillard and Tatum have a relationship going back many years now, so it’s certainly possible that both sides could work something out. However, for Lillard, it'd be a much different change of pace. 

From going to the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston would be a completely different animal for him. The Celtics fan base expects the most out of all their players, and if they don't perform at the level they're hoping for, Lillard will hear it. 

He'd also be going to the opposite side of the country from his family, which has reportedly been an issue in the past, considering he wanted to be around his kids more. 

However, according to a recent report from the Boston Herald, Lillard is more “receptive” to joining the Celtics than he was in 2023. 

“Lastly, though Lillard reportedly is more receptive to joining Boston than he was in 2023, when the Celtics were linked to him before trading for Holiday, it’s unclear where his priorities lie this offseason. The Celtics can offer Lillard a minimum contract, or a $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception if they make additional moves to dip back below the second apron of the luxury tax, which they exceeded with their recent signings of Garza and Minott,” they wrote.

MORE: Ex-Celtics champion signs new deal with Eastern Conference team

In 2023, Lillard had requested a trade from the Trail Blazers. He made it known that he didn't want to play for the Celtics, eventually joining the Bucks. 

This time around, however, it sounds like things could be different.

Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.