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NBA Insider Reveals Ex-Pistons Rival's Free Agency Mindset

Could the Detroit Pistons take a look at Damian Lillard?
Justin Grasso|
Dec 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a basket in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a basket in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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Soon enough, the NBA will learn Damian Lillard’s next destination. For now, the former Milwaukee Bucks guard is going to weigh his options, taking his time in the process.

According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, Lillard is open to signing with a team as early as this year “under the right terms and conditions while he continues rehabbing.”

But there is no rush to make a decision on his next landing spot.

Could the Detroit Pistons show interest in Damian Lillard? So far, the All-Star guard hasn’t been linked to the Cade Cunningham-led franchise, and it’s difficult to imagine he would be this year.

While the Pistons have a need for the point guard position currently, Lillard is likely to take the entire year off as he heals up from an Achilles injury, which he suffered during the Bucks’ 2025 playoff run.

Currently, the only Eastern Conference team linked to Lillard with notable interest is the Miami Heat. The veteran guard’s former franchise out West, the Portland Trail Blazers, could also be viewed as favorites to land him at this time.

If Lillard opts to remain a free agent for the time being, he could be viewed as a top free agent in the point guard market next summer. Depending on how the 2025-2026 season plays out, maybe the Pistons could take a look at him then.

In 2024-2025, Lillard appeared in 58 games for the Bucks. He posted averages of 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. He shot the ball at a 45 percent clip from the field and knocked down 38 percent of his threes on nine attempts per game.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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