The Milwaukee Bucks' decision to part ways with Damian Lillard was met with plenty of criticism, but they simply couldn't gamble on the guard's health after his Achilles tear. With a superstar in his prime, the front office decided to move on and focus on now, and that might have been the proper move, with ESPN's Shams Charania noting that Lillard will miss all of next season as a Portland Trail Blazer.
"Damian Lillard is expected to use the entire 2025-26 season to rehab the Achilles tear and then return for the Portland Trail Blazers, make his reunion and return in that arena, in 2026-27.