Of course, there are important caveats in the potential plans for both the Celtics and Lillard. From the player’s perspective, Lillard is — like Celtics star Jayson Tatum — currently rehabbing a ruptured Achilles tendon (sustained during a first-round playoff series in April).

Following his stunning exit from the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard is attracting a lot of attention from several high-profile teams on the free-agent market.

Lillard, who could miss all of next season after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon during the Bucks’ first-round playoff loss to Indiana, will soon become an intriguing and likely affordable free agent.