Could Damian Lillard Be the Final Piece? Why [Team Name] Remains Quietly Confident as Playoff Contenders Eye a Title Push
By Connor Bryant | ESPN NBA Insider
July 16, 2025
As NBA free agency continues to reshape the league, one team remains firmly — and quietly — in the driver’s seat to land Damian Lillard: the [Insert Team Name Here]*. While public attention has drifted to flashier signings and summer league headlines, multiple league sources have confirmed that Lillard’s camp has remained in consistent contact with [Team] executives, and momentum is quietly building.
Lillard, now 35, spent most of last season recovering from a nagging Achilles flare-up and has not played meaningful postseason basketball since 2023. But those close to him say he’s finally near full health and “hungry as ever” for a shot at a ring.
> “People forget what Dame can do when he’s 85 percent, let alone fully healthy,” said one Western Conference scout. “He’s still got that nuclear ability. Ask any defender in the league — when he’s locked in, it’s nightmares.”
The scenario drawing comparisons? Blake Griffin’s veteran run with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021–22. While Griffin was a far cry from his Lob City days, he provided critical frontcourt stability, high-IQ minutes, and timely buckets when it mattered most. Insiders believe Lillard could play a similar role — but with far more offensive upside.
“Dame doesn’t have to carry the load every night,” a front office source said. “We’ve got the depth. But come playoff time? He’s your dagger.”
The [Team] — already a playoff-caliber roster featuring [Insert 1-2 Star Names] — are looking for a veteran guard who can steady the offense in high-leverage moments. Lillard, a seven-time All-Star and one of the most clutch players of his generation, checks every box. His leadership, playoff experience, and ability to stretch the floor would make him a luxury in the regular season — and a weapon in a tight playoff series.
Still, it’s not without risk. Lillard is owed $63.2 million in 2025–26, the second-highest salary in the league. For a 35-year-old guard coming off two injury-shortened seasons, that’s a serious gamble. But for a franchise willing to go all-in on a title window? It might just be worth it.
> “You don’t get many shots at a title,” said an anonymous Eastern Conference GM. “If you’re close — and I mean really close — you take the swing. Dame’s that kind of swing.”
The front office reportedly sees Lillard as more than just a bench spark. Internally, there’s belief that he could play 24–28 minutes per game, particularly as a stabilizer in late halves and crunch-time lineups. Pairing him with a young emerging star like [Insert Guard/Forward Name] could allow the team to preserve his body while maximizing his impact.
As training camp nears, don’t be surprised if things accelerate.
“Dame to [Team] isn’t just smoke,” one league insider said. “It’s a low flame. But under the right conditions — it could catch fire fast.”
Let me know which team you’d like to build this around — Heat, Sixers, Lakers, Bucks, etc. — and I’ll tailor the story to fit the exact roster and context.
