Damian Lillard is a 34-year-old who has yet to reach the NBA Finals in his illustrious 13-year NBA career and is now sidelined for an extended period of time with a torn Achilles.
There are plenty of players who would dream of having a career the caliber of Lillard's, but not one would wish to be in his current position. Even prior to the Milwaukee Bucks' season coming to a close on Tuesday, trade rumors were beginning to swirl around franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Antetokounmpo does decide to request out of Milwaukee, Lillard's future becomes even more rocky.
The first subject surrounds Lillard's injury, with questions looming about when or if he'll return and how he'll look when he does. It's impossible to place a timeframe on a serious injury like this so soon, but ESPN's Jamal Collier has already reported that Lillard may not return for the 2026 season.
"An MRI revealed the severity of the injury, which will end Lillard's season and puts his 2025-26 season in jeopardy because of the extended recovery timeline of the injury," Collier wrote.
Still, Bucks coach Doc Rivers revealed Lillard is determined to return to the NBA, saying, “He said two things, which I love. The first one, he just said, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ Then the second one is ‘I’m not going out this way.’ I can guarantee you he won’t, and that’s what I meant about his resolve.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Let's say hypothetically Lillard is unable to play next season, he would make his NBA return at 36 years old. ESPN's Stephania Bell analyzed a few situations that are similar to his, where a superstar suffers a substantial injury later in their career and how they fared when returning.
Bell first analyzed when Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant suffered an Achilles injury, writing, "Perhaps the most memorable NBA player to return from an Achilles injury, Bryant coincidentally was also 34 years old at the time of his injury during the 2013 playoffs. He underwent surgery in April and returned to action in December that year. Bryant returned fairly rapidly but lacked explosiveness."
"The following year his season ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. The subsequent season was his last."
Bell also broke down Klay Thompson's multiple substantial injuries, which have resulted in a significant decline. The seeming lone exception is Kevin Durant, who suffered a torn Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals and has continued to perform at an all-time level since returning. Unless Lillard manages to be another exception, it seems he's headed for a significant decline in production.
A possible Antetokounmpo trade request should also place major worries on Lillard. If he asks out, the Bucks will also more than likely explore moves for Lillard, and there's no telling what championship contenders will be willing to give up for a player in his situation. It unfortunately seems far more likely Milwaukee will deal Lillard to a rebuilding team with the capability of offering a stronger return package.
Lillard's lone bright spot in the midst of chaos is he has a player option for the 2027 season. Should he decline it, the nine-time All-Star could seek out a short-term, cheaper contract with a team fighting for a championship.
MORE MILWAUKEE BUCKS NEWS
Bucks may use Damian Lillard as scapegoat to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay in Milwaukee
Pelicans surprisingly named trade destination for East superstar trapped on underachieving team