Cs want to sign Damian Lillard

[slamtheking]

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.

will he though?  C's are a prime example of why that may not be true.  if he waits until after this season, he'll be priced out of what the C's can offer whereas if he signs for cheap now, he's on a team that figures to be better the following season and he can hitch his wagon to the J's and White to get on a contender.

[CFAN38]

I honestly cant even guess what the next two seasons are going to be like but the idea of signing Dame to a rehab year then bringing him back with Tatum is at least interesting.

Could we see the Cs sign him to a 2 yr deal knowing that this year he is just going to rehab so in essence spreading his one year salary over two seasons?

Could we see KP brought back to Boston as a FA after one season in ATL?


Those two things coupled with Tatum getting healthy and a season dedicated to fast tracking the development of the younger guys on the roster could make for a really fun 26-27 season.

[GreenEnvy]

I honestly cant even guess what the next two seasons are going to be like but the idea of signing Dame to a rehab year then bringing him back with Tatum is at least interesting.

Could we see the Cs sign him to a 2 yr deal knowing that this year he is just going to rehab so in essence spreading his one year salary over two seasons?

Could we see KP brought back to Boston as a FA after one season in ATL?


Those two things coupled with Tatum getting healthy and a season dedicated to fast tracking the development of the younger guys on the roster could make for a really fun 26-27 season.

I like tossing this upcoming season to the curb.

If you can sign Dame to rehab next season with Tatum, maybe a 2yr deal with a team option for year 3. Low risk at the minimum with high upside.

Trade Brown for assets.

Keep White and Pritchard.

Tank for a high pick.

Hope playing time lets someone out of the young guys emerge as an impact player.

Go into next offseason with money to play with for a big, the high draft pick(s), and some Brad magic.

[mobilija]

It?s just nice to have a rumor.

Hahaha TP!

If we?re gonna stink next year, we?re at least still relevant and have something to discuss!

[blink]

I say no on Lillard.   Part of the reason why...

How many NPA Players Aged 36+ have averaged 20+ PPG ever.  Per chatGPT:  7, repeat 7 total.   Odds are we aren't getting the Lillard from a few years ago when he comes back from his injury.   
He is OLD.  Al Horford is the exception, not the rule.   Guys 36 and over just aren't huge contributors.   Lillard was already a poor def player, I doubt the injury makes him better at that end.  I mean give anyone we want to the vet min I guess, but the chances are slim that things would turn out good, much less great.

1) Karl Malone
Age 36 (1999‑00): 25.5 PPG 🚀
Also averaged ≥ 20 PPG at 37, 38, and even 39

2) Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar
Age 36 (1983‑84): ~21.5 PPG
Age 37 (1984‑85): 22.0 PPG
Age 38 (1985‑86): 23.4 PPG
     
3) Kobe Bryant
Age 36 (2014‑15): 22.3 PPG
   
4) Michael Jordan
Age 38 (2001‑02): 22.9 PPG
Age 39 (2002‑03): 20.0 PPG

5) LeBron James
Age 36 (2021‑22): 25.0 PPG

6) Stephen Curry
Age 36 (2023‑24): ~26.4 PPG (some sources show 23.1 over 41 games, but consensus places him above 20)

7)Kevin Durant
Age 36 (2023‑24): around 27.1 PPG

[radiohead]

If he agrees to the vet min then why not?

[SparzWizard]

I say no on Lillard.   Part of the reason why...

How many NPA Players Aged 36+ have averaged 20+ PPG ever.  Per chatGPT:  7, repeat 7 total.   Odds are we aren't getting the Lillard from a few years ago when he comes back from his injury.   
He is OLD.  Al Horford is the exception, not the rule.   Guys 36 and over just aren't huge contributors.   Lillard was already a poor def player, I doubt the injury makes him better at that end.  I mean give anyone we want to the vet min I guess, but the chances are slim that things would turn out good, much less great.

1) Karl Malone
Age 36 (1999‑00): 25.5 PPG 🚀
Also averaged ≥ 20 PPG at 37, 38, and even 39

2) Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar
Age 36 (1983‑84): ~21.5 PPG
Age 37 (1984‑85): 22.0 PPG
Age 38 (1985‑86): 23.4 PPG
     
3) Kobe Bryant
Age 36 (2014‑15): 22.3 PPG
   
4) Michael Jordan
Age 38 (2001‑02): 22.9 PPG
Age 39 (2002‑03): 20.0 PPG

5) LeBron James
Age 36 (2021‑22): 25.0 PPG

6) Stephen Curry
Age 36 (2023‑24): ~26.4 PPG (some sources show 23.1 over 41 games, but consensus places him above 20)

7)Kevin Durant
Age 36 (2023‑24): around 27.1 PPG

Maybe Lillard is part of that rule and he'd be number 8. If there's one player who can be that eighth 20 PPG it would be him next in line

[trickybilly]

Make a handy backup to starting PG, Payton Pritchard

[slightly biased bias fan]

Unfortunately Lillard is not coming to Boston. Apparently he was miserable in Milwaukee due to being so far away from his family.

I would imagine he wants to either return to Portland or stay close to home (Los Angeles, Sacramento or Phoenix).

[Moranis]

I say no on Lillard.   Part of the reason why...

How many NPA Players Aged 36+ have averaged 20+ PPG ever.  Per chatGPT:  7, repeat 7 total.   Odds are we aren't getting the Lillard from a few years ago when he comes back from his injury.   
He is OLD.  Al Horford is the exception, not the rule.   Guys 36 and over just aren't huge contributors.   Lillard was already a poor def player, I doubt the injury makes him better at that end.  I mean give anyone we want to the vet min I guess, but the chances are slim that things would turn out good, much less great.

1) Karl Malone
Age 36 (1999‑00): 25.5 PPG 🚀
Also averaged ≥ 20 PPG at 37, 38, and even 39

2) Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar
Age 36 (1983‑84): ~21.5 PPG
Age 37 (1984‑85): 22.0 PPG
Age 38 (1985‑86): 23.4 PPG
     
3) Kobe Bryant
Age 36 (2014‑15): 22.3 PPG
   
4) Michael Jordan
Age 38 (2001‑02): 22.9 PPG
Age 39 (2002‑03): 20.0 PPG

5) LeBron James
Age 36 (2021‑22): 25.0 PPG

6) Stephen Curry
Age 36 (2023‑24): ~26.4 PPG (some sources show 23.1 over 41 games, but consensus places him above 20)

7)Kevin Durant
Age 36 (2023‑24): around 27.1 PPG

chatgpt is just bad.  I mean you can full stats for all of those and LeBron has done it 5 straight years. In 21/22 he was 37 and averaged 30.3 ppg.  Curry averaged 24.5 ppg this year at 36/37 (he turned 37 in March). Durant was 36 all of last year and averaged 26.6 ppg. Never trust AI.

[Celtics2021]

Unfortunately Lillard is not coming to Boston. Apparently he was miserable in Milwaukee due to being so far away from his family.

I would imagine he wants to either return to Portland or stay close to home (Los Angeles, Sacramento or Phoenix).

Perhaps the Celtics could let him stay home this year to rehab.  If they were comfortable with that it would definitely sweeten the offer.

[Birdman]

If Lillard doesn?t sign with Warriors or Lakers I be shock

[Goldstar88]

If Lillard doesn?t sign with Warriors or Lakers I be shock

He wanted to go to Miami before being traded to the Bucks.

[Vermont Green]

Trade Brown for assets.

Why trade Brown?  He is a big part of the equation for 2026 and beyond.  I don't understand what assets we could get back that would be better for a title contending team than a prior finals MVP.  Now if [Assets] = [Giannis] or something like that, OK, but if [Assets] = [Misc Players + Draft Picks], no  thanks.

[Vermont Green]

If Lillard doesn't sign with Warriors or Lakers I be shock

He wanted to go to Miami before being traded to the Bucks.

This is a good point although MIA had Butler then.  I would be OK with a 2 year vet min deal for him, I suspect a lot of teams will be OK with that also.  He will have options.  BOS is probably a long shot.