2 Eastern playoff teams emerge as favorites to land Bucks' Damian Lillard this offseason

There was a time when it was unthinkable to suggest Damian Lillard would ever leave the Portland Trail Blazers. For 11 years, Dame Dolla was one of a dying breed of one-club players that might begin and end their careers with the same team. Sadly—for both sides, if we're being honest—that was not to be.

Despite a clear preference on landing with the Heat in Miami, in September 2023 the Blazers traded their all-time leading scorer to the Milwaukee Bucks to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not his ideal destination, but not a bad place to go considering they had just won an NBA title two years earlier.

It turns out Act Two of Lillard's Hall of Fame career could end much like Act One in Portland, however: without a ring and with an earlier than expected exit. Just before he was moved, Lillard had signed an extension to keep him under contract through 2026, with a massive near-$60 million player option in 2026-27.

With the Bucks down 2-1 to the Indiana Pacers and primed to make their third straight First Round exit, Lillard, who will be 35 years old this summer, could very well be traded this summer before he can leave for free in 2026.

Lillard could land with another Eastern Conference contender

A couple of very intriguing teams have begun as the favorites to land the All-NBA point guard if he does make another ignominious exit.

The Orlando Magic, who are now down just 2-1 against the Boston Celtics after taking Game 3, would seem to be the perfect fit at +150. Lillard would fill something of a hole as an offensive-minded point guard; Jalen Suggs is more of an energy, defensive stopper guy.

But he would also fill a veteran void on a team chock full of youngsters. Lillard hasn't won a title, but he could teach those up-and-comers a thing or two about the grind of the NBA playoffs. He knows how to lead.

The Heat, Lillard's original preferred destination, are also in the mix at +200. However, Jimmy Butler, who was there when Lillard originally wanted to join, has since been traded himself. Nonetheless, Lillard would be joining a talented group of professionals that includes Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo and head coach Erik Spoelstra.

The Los Angeles Lakers are the only other ones with a shot based on the odds, at +450. We're not sure a team with LeBron James and Luka Doncic needs another ball-dominant scorer, though. 

Lillard will hope that things work out in Milwaukee. But right now, they seem to be in a transition moment, and Antetokounmpo doesn't seem long for the mean streets of Milwaukee anymore either. Unfortunately, a 13-year veteran like Lillard doesn't have time to waste on a Bucks rebuild.

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