Title: Damian Lillard Signs Three-Year Deal with Boston Celtics Following Achilles Recovery
“I’m not here for the lights — I’m here for the legacy.” – Damian Lillard
BOSTON – July 19, 2025 (3 hours ago): In a move that has sent shockwaves across the NBA, veteran All-Star guard Damian Lillard has officially signed a three-year contract with the Boston Celtics, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. The signing comes just months after Lillard underwent a grueling recovery from a partial Achilles tear that sidelined him during the second half of last season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The contract, worth a reported $91 million over three years, was finalized early Friday morning in a private meeting at the Celtics’ training facility in Brighton. Sources say the deal includes a player option in the third year and strong incentives tied to postseason performance.
At 35 years old, Lillard’s decision marks both a professional gamble and a bold personal statement: he’s not done — and he’s chasing a ring.
A New Chapter in Green
Boston, fresh off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance and led by superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, is adding Lillard not just for depth, but for leadership, closing ability, and his legendary clutch gene. General Manager Brad Stevens called the deal “a strategic risk with potentially franchise-defining upside.”
> “Damian’s a competitor, plain and simple,” Stevens said in a statement. “He’s a leader, a scorer, and one of the smartest floor generals of the last decade. He’s healthy. He’s hungry. And he wants to win. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Lillard’s arrival is expected to shift the Celtics’ offensive dynamic. Coach Joe Mazzulla hinted that the Celtics are exploring new sets that utilize a three-guard rotation featuring Lillard, Derrick White, and Tatum, with Brown operating as a hybrid wing.
The Road Back
Lillard’s Achilles injury, suffered in February 2025 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, cast doubt on the future of the seven-time All-Star. Many speculated that his championship window had closed. But in true “Dame Time” fashion, he turned silence into fuel.
Insiders close to his camp revealed that Lillard spent nearly 12 hours a day in physical therapy and film study throughout the spring. He worked closely with renowned rehabilitation specialist Dr. Marcus Brandt, whose previous clients included Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.
> “The moment the MRI came back, I knew what people would say — ‘He’s done.’ But I’ve been hearing that since college,” Lillard said in a recorded statement posted on his Instagram. “Boston? I’m here for a reason. I’m not here for the lights — I’m here for the legacy.”
Brotherhood in Boston
Celtics players welcomed Lillard warmly. Jayson Tatum, who had trained with Lillard during multiple Team USA camps, was reportedly instrumental in recruiting him. “We’ve always talked about what it would be like to play together,” Tatum said. “He’s a killer. Now he’s ours.”
Even Celtics legend Paul Pierce chimed in on X (formerly Twitter):
> “Dame to Boston? That’s a chip move. Period.”
What’s Next
Lillard will wear jersey number #0, the same number he wore in Portland and Milwaukee. He is expected to make his green-and-white debut in the Celtics’ preseason opener at TD Garden in October. Though he’ll be eased in gradually, sources confirm his rehab has been fully cleared by team doctors, and he’s at “100% basketball capacity.”
As Boston eyes Banner 19, one thing is certain: Damian Lillard is no longer chasing loyalty—he’s chasing history.
Filed by SportsBeat Newsroom – 3 hours after the signing
