According to a report from The Athletic, there was a real possibility that Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks might have gone their separate ways this offseason – had Lillard not suffered an injury late in the season.
Sources around the league indicate that if Lillard had stayed healthy and the Bucks had still experienced an early exit from the playoffs, internal discussions would likely have taken place regarding his future with the franchise.
Despite the strong personal relationship and mutual respect between Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, concerns lingered about their effectiveness as an on-court duo.
While both players bring elite talent to the table, their partnership has not consistently translated into seamless play or postseason success. In their second season together, the limitations in their fit became more pronounced, and the Bucks’ overall shortcomings as a roster grew more apparent with time.
As these issues accumulated, there was an increasing sense within the organization and among league insiders that a difficult but necessary conversation could be on the horizon – one centered on whether it might be in the best interest of both Lillard and the Bucks to consider a mutual separation and a fresh start elsewhere.
Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks could’ve parted ways this offseason if he hadn’t gotten hurt, per @TheAthletic
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 1, 2025
“Had Lillard remained healthy, and had the Bucks still fallen in the first round, league sources say there would have been discussions about whether Lillard… pic.twitter.com/ipzFApu4Yu
