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If you\u2019re the Miami Heat, would you entertain signing Damian Lillard to a multi-year deal? (Mandatory Credit: Thearon W. Henderson\/GettyImages)<\/p>\nIf you\u2019re the Miami Heat, would you entertain signing Damian Lillard to a multi-year deal? (Mandatory Credit: Thearon W. Henderson\/GettyImages)<\/p>\n
In case you may have missed it, the Milwaukee Bucks made a bold decision Tuesday that could have serious short- and long-term ramifications: Signing free agent center Myles Turner to a $107 million deal (over four years), but waiving-and-stretching guard Damian Lillard ($113 million over two years) less than two calendar years after acquiring him in a multi-team blockbuster.<\/p>\n
Turner was, by far, the best free agent big available. But the Bucks will be allocating nearly $50 million per season to both players, including $22.5 million to Lillard for the next five years. <\/p>\n
Lillard, who turns 35-years-old later this month, will miss most of, if not the entirety of the 2025-26 season due to rupturing his left Achilles tendon in Game 4 of their first-round series against Turner\u2019s Indiana Pacers. Now, Lillard will spend most of the season rehabbing, whether he\u2019s with a new team or not.<\/p>\n
Lillard requested a trade to the Heat in the summer of 2023, but got dealt to Milwaukee; to nobody\u2019s surprise, his name was already being linked<\/a> to the Heat upon getting waived, even though he\u2019s in no rush to make a decision because he\u2019s still going to get his guaranteed money anyway.<\/p>\n Even though they\u2019re clearly shifting younger, should they take a flyer on the soon-to-be 35-year-old coming off an achilles injury? Vote below!<\/p>\n **********************<\/p>\n A few pros:<\/p>\n Good mentor for young backcourt (Kasparas Jakucionis, Davion Mitchell, Dru Smith, etc.).<\/p>\n Bam! Dame! Together!!!!<\/p>\n Add him at an inexpensive price.<\/p>\n If he\u2019s still good offensively in 2026-27, he could be a valuable trade asset if the Heat aren\u2019t competing.<\/p>\n Who are they going to use that money for anyway in the summer of 2026?<\/p>\n A few cons:<\/p>\n Well, he\u2019s 36 and he\u2019s an aging star<\/a>.<\/p>\n Heat would have to clear a roster spot and be creative in order to add a player who may miss the entire season.<\/p>\n Coming an achilles injury is never easy.<\/p>\n What if he ends up blocking some of the young players in 2026-27, especially if any pop this upcoming season?<\/p>\n **********************<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n To check out our other content, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter\/X\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Subscribe to our YouTube channel\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t\t\t