Damian Lillard’s message after hitting free agency

Damian Lillard is ready for his next chapter.

After getting waived by the Bucks on Tuesday, the star point guard appears prepared to sign with a new team — even if he will miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury.

“If they call it a “gamble” at this stage… tell em this the jackpot. #ToBeContinued,” Lillard posted on X Thursday night.

Moments after Lillard made the post, NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported that Lillard is “open to signing with a team this offseason under the right terms and conditions.”

Haynes also noted that Lillard is “receiving ample interest,” but that he is “in no rush to make a decision.”

The Warriors, Celtics and Lakers are known to be among the teams with interest in making a deal for Lillard “sooner rather than later,” The Athletic reported Tuesday.

The Bucks’ decision to waive the 34-year-old was part of a creative maneuver to open space for the signing of free agent center Myles Turner, who played a key role in the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals. 

In order to sign Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal, Milwaukee opted to stretch the remaining $113 million on Lillard’s contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.

Lillard “welcomed” the release, according to Charania, and he will rehab from his injury with his family in Portland while he chooses his next team. 

The nine-time All-Star suffered the Achilles injury in Game 4 of the Bucks’ first round loss to the Pacers.

Lillard played 58 games for Milwaukee during the regular season, averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists. 

The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Trail Blazers in a three-team blockbuster deal with the Suns in 2023, shipping out Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, a 2029 first-rounder and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.