Although listing it as a need is a stretch, the LA Clippers should look to acquire an elite score-first guard soon, ideally alongside James Harden. This must be someone who has years of experience as a first option and can score fearlessly by not shying away from the moment.
However, in retrospect, most of the names do not have accessibility in the trade portal. This is because these guys have the keys to their franchise and are on lengthy maximum contracts. Trae Young, a member of the Atlanta Hawks, seemed available for a brief second, but with the free agent acquisitions made by their front office in the last 24 hours, it is clear his home for the foreseeable future is in the Peachtree City.
Furthermore, executive Lawrence Frank likely concluded that the team was better off adding role players while retaining those who are already there, such as James Harden and Nicolas Batum, to spend another season in the trenches for a franchise-first championship that will be worth it.
Today, these plans may have all changed, and it began with the Milwaukee Bucks replacing Brook Lopez, who signed with the Clippers, with Myles Turner. The Indiana Pacers were expected to do everything they could, even if it meant paying a steep price, to re-sign Turner.
Conversely, with Tyrese Haliburton needing time to recover from a torn achilles, Turner likely did not want to wait. After negotiating with the Bucks’ front office, a shocking path was forced for him to sign a four-year, $107 million deal.
This correlated to waiving Damian Lillard, which shocked the NBA community. Yet, his next destination could be Intuit Dome.
Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/eg1D1TMFM6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
The LA Clippers should be the team that signs Damian Lillard, as it could pay off, assuming he recovers as expected
Damian Lillard was likely waived because, like Tyrese Haliburton, he tore his Achilles in the playoffs. He will require a season to recover, but when he returns at one hundred percent, the Clippers should sign him to a one-year deal.
Clearing up space and possibly spending around $30 million for one season of Lillard’s production will pay off, primarily because of how dominant the Clippers will be with James Harden as the other guard and Kawhi Leonard as the first option.
LA has desired the employment of another superstar, and although it will be a unique way to acquire one, waiting on Lillard and taking an eventual chance on him could make the Clippers championship favorites in a split second.