Cs want to sign Damian Lillard

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm not against this necessarily, but real question - what is the best that could be hoped for when 36 year old Lillard returns from an achilles tear? 20-5-3 with pretty bad defense, right?

That's what Simons is going to give us this year realistically, but Simons has some upside to grow into and may even improve as a defender.

I don't know. I guess I just am trying to imagine Lillard in that Pacers-Thunder series. His ball-handling definitely could have helped the Pacers, but he would have been BY FAR the worst defender in the series, and probably the worst defender in the eastern and western conference finals series as well. Is it realistic to hope that he would be able to contribute to another championship run? Isn't that was the Celtics are all about?

Not just A Simons. Pritchard can do that too if given starter's minutes. We got 2 PGs who can do that.

I think Pritchard has been a better defender than Lillard for several years. But that's a really good point.

Somehow, we always forget about Pritchard in our futures conversations, but his production and court impact have improved every single season.

[flybono]

See Irving = garbage

[RodyTur10]

This team needs to make up their mind about going tank or contending.    I think we are tying to raise up the asking price for others.

Well a Lillard signing wouldn't make any different to our strategy I think. We have given up the coming season and therefore tax reduction is a primal factor in the decisions for the Celtics, but beyond 2026 I believe the Celtics want to build a contender again around Tatum. I'd love to give Lillard a try, I'm sure the Lakers will push hard for him.

Lillard this year ranked 8th (OBPM), 9th (O-LEBRON) and 11th (OEPM) in the league.
So even at 34 years old Lillard was a formidable offensive weapon.
If he would return to 80% of what he was then he'd still be very servicable.

sources: https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2025_advanced.html
https://www.bball-index.com/lebron-application/
https://dunksandthrees.com/epm/actual

[Atzar]

I mean no disrespect, but equating the offensive impact of Simons or Pritchard to a healthy Lillard is just misguided.  The obvious huge "IF" applies, but IF Lillard returns at a healthy All-Star form, he's an offensive weapon of a caliber that the other two just are not.  Lillard is a guy who can score against strong playoff-caliber defense.  You tired of iso Tatum at the end of quarters?  Lillard gives you another option.  Meanwhile Pritchard struggles against those strong defenses (he beats the pants off the Utahs of the league though) and Simons just spent two years trying to be the guy with poor results. 

Yes, of course it's possible - even likely - that Lillard isn't that guy anymore.  That's the risk.  That's why there's a chance we can afford him at all.  But we're not in a position to be picky.  We're capped out, our assets are spent, our young prospects have "average roleplayer" ceilings, and our star is in a boot.  If you honestly want to take another shot at contention with this core, IMO you take a chance on Lillard.  Otherwise you sell off and rebuild. 

[Goldstar88]

I'd have interest.  I don't think Lillard likes Boston iirc so it's pretty unlikely but it's worth at least asking the question.

From our perspective, you don't get very many chances to potentially add an all-star or near-all-star contributor for a steeply-discounted salary.  It's fair to wonder whether there's any high-level ball left in Lillard after his injury, but I think the potential upside would justify the risk and the cost.  You don't get many chances to add standout players for minor cap hits in the modern NBA.

From Lillard's perspective, he comes into a team with Simons, a former teammate who may ease the transition, and Tatum, a player going through the same thing right now.  And from a basketball standpoint, White/Brown/Tatum would be a heck of a group to surround him with.  Pritchard off the bench to back him up.  There are few better fits for his skillset in the NBA.

That?s a great point, hadn?t considered that. If Simons was acquired in anticipation of Lillard being stretch that is some serious 4D chess.

I?m all for taking Lillard in, think he would work better with Tatum Brown, and White than he did with Giannis. More spacing with less defensive attention. 4 strong defenders to mask his deficiencies. Just a better overall system for him to return to once he?s recovered from injury.

A Simons and Lillard were the worst defensive backcourt in the league when they played together.

Why do we want to re-create that?

To get into the draft lottery of course!

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I mean no disrespect, but equating the offensive impact of Simons or Pritchard to a healthy Lillard is just misguided.  The obvious huge "IF" applies, but IF Lillard returns at a healthy All-Star form, he's an offensive weapon of a caliber that the other two just are not.  Lillard is a guy who can score against strong playoff-caliber defense.  You tired of iso Tatum at the end of quarters?  Lillard gives you another option.  Meanwhile Pritchard struggles against those strong defenses (he beats the pants off the Utahs of the league though) and Simons just spent two years trying to be the guy with poor results. 

Yes, of course it's possible - even likely - that Lillard isn't that guy anymore.  That's the risk.  That's why there's a chance we can afford him at all.  But we're not in a position to be picky.  We're capped out, our assets are spent, our young prospects have "average roleplayer" ceilings, and our star is in a boot.  If you honestly want to take another shot at contention with this core, IMO you take a chance on Lillard.  Otherwise you sell off and rebuild.

I think it's unreasonable to think that Lillard will return to that kind of player. I'd argue that even though his stats have been good for the Bucks, he hasn't been that kind of player since his last year in Portland. I mean, people are worried about a 27 year old Tatum returning fully to form. What about a 36 year old Lillard? I'd already be assuming on his decline and reduced impact as an offensive player without the career-altering injury, but with it?

I think it's very fair and reasonable to assume he may at best return to being a 20-5-3 guy. Those are the same numbers Simons puts up, and Pritchard could put up in starters minutes. Simons by the numbers is one of the most clutch players in the NBA - so if you are thinking that at least you'd have Dame Time, I think Simons would give you a pretty similar impact at the end of the shotclock or game clock.

[Phantom255x]

I'm not against it all for the veteran minimum? Are you kidding me?

Even with his flaws, worst case if he becomes a "microwave scorer" off the bench beyond 2026, that's still awesome for this team. Or he remains an all-star level starter, great!

It's also possible Simons isn't even here beyond 2026, so having Lillard as our PG for a few years alongside the Jays, White and a PF/C would be nice especially in a weak East

Obviously if we needed to pay him a big contract or even a full MLE I'd agree with most, but the vet. minimum? Come on, that's zero risk. What, do people want to sign another Minott/Garza? Signing Lillard wouldn't even prevent us from adding another PF/C somehow especially if 1 of Hauser/Simons/Niang is getting dealt soon anyway

[johnnygreen]

To me, this rumor has zero merit. The Cs may want Lillard, but Lillard has already made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be here. I don't see the point of even discussing something that has no chance of happening.

[gift]

I mean no disrespect, but equating the offensive impact of Simons or Pritchard to a healthy Lillard is just misguided.  The obvious huge "IF" applies, but IF Lillard returns at a healthy All-Star form, he's an offensive weapon of a caliber that the other two just are not.  Lillard is a guy who can score against strong playoff-caliber defense.  You tired of iso Tatum at the end of quarters?  Lillard gives you another option.  Meanwhile Pritchard struggles against those strong defenses (he beats the pants off the Utahs of the league though) and Simons just spent two years trying to be the guy with poor results. 

Yes, of course it's possible - even likely - that Lillard isn't that guy anymore.  That's the risk.  That's why there's a chance we can afford him at all.  But we're not in a position to be picky.  We're capped out, our assets are spent, our young prospects have "average roleplayer" ceilings, and our star is in a boot.  If you honestly want to take another shot at contention with this core, IMO you take a chance on Lillard.  Otherwise you sell off and rebuild.

I think it's unreasonable to think that Lillard will return to that kind of player. I'd argue that even though his stats have been good for the Bucks, he hasn't been that kind of player since his last year in Portland. I mean, people are worried about a 27 year old Tatum returning fully to form. What about a 36 year old Lillard? I'd already be assuming on his decline and reduced impact as an offensive player without the career-altering injury, but with it?

I think it's very fair and reasonable to assume he may at best return to being a 20-5-3 guy. Those are the same numbers Simons puts up, and Pritchard could put up in starters minutes. Simons by the numbers is one of the most clutch players in the NBA - so if you are thinking that at least you'd have Dame Time, I think Simons would give you a pretty similar impact at the end of the shotclock or game clock.

yeah, for a minimum salary it's probably worth the lottery ticket but otherwise Lillard was already declining before this injury, so i'm not expecting much of an impactful return at his age/size/skill-set.

[Silas]

To me, this rumor has zero merit. The Cs may want Lillard, but Lillard has already made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be here. I don't see the point of even discussing something that has no chance of happening.

I guess I missed that. When did he make it clear he doesn't want to be here?

[Kuberski33]

To me, this rumor has zero merit. The Cs may want Lillard, but Lillard has already made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be here. I don't see the point of even discussing something that has no chance of happening.

As witnessed by Shams mentioning the agents in every single tweet announcing new free agent deals - who do you think is supplying all this 'inside' info to the media types?  These days it's always the agents.  The days of a Peter Vescey or Bob Ryan having anonymous sources inside the league who feed them relevant info are long gone.

This sounds to me like an agent trying to create a market for his player.

[johnnygreen]

To me, this rumor has zero merit. The Cs may want Lillard, but Lillard has already made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be here. I don't see the point of even discussing something that has no chance of happening.

I guess I missed that. When did he make it clear he doesn't want to be here?

I believe it was during the offseason when we traded for Holiday. Lillard was doing everything he could to sway a trade to Miami, before he was ultimately traded to the Bucks. Wasn't he on a podcast hating on Boston and laughing at the idea of being traded there?

[johnnygreen]

To me, this rumor has zero merit. The Cs may want Lillard, but Lillard has already made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be here. I don't see the point of even discussing something that has no chance of happening.

As witnessed by Shams mentioning the agents in every single tweet announcing new free agent deals - who do you think is supplying all this 'inside' info to the media types?  These days it's always the agents.  The days of a Peter Vescey or Bob Ryan having anonymous sources inside the league who feed them relevant info are long gone.

This sounds to me like an agent trying to create a market for his player.

I might be going out on a limb, but agents sometimes lie to help their clients get better deals. Why wouldn't he mention Boston to help drive up the price. It still doesn't mean Lillard has any interest in playing here.

[Neurotic Guy]

It?s just nice to have a rumor. 

[Who]

There will be considerable interest in Lillard. I just don't think Boston should be one of the teams chasing him.

I expected Lillard to sit out the season and return in 2026-27. I imagine he can get a better deal in FA then. Hard to see him getting much more than the minimum or half the MLE if he signs now. He could get the Full MLE or above the MLE in 12 months time. He is better off waiting. He will also be better placed to pick the exact team he wants to join with more assurance of who will actually be on that team in 12 months time and how good of a title shot they have. Financially and basketball wise, he is better off.

I am sure MIL or POR would be happy to let him rehab at their team while he returns from injury. He doesn't need to sign a contract with someone to get that help.