The Milwaukee Bucks have waived nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard, stretching the $113 million left on his deal over the next five seasons to create immediate salary-cap room. The roster move makes the 34-year-old guard an unrestricted free agent while he rehabilitates a torn left Achilles suffered on 28 April. Because Milwaukee remains responsible for the bulk of his pay, Lillard can sign elsewhere for roughly the $3.6 million veteran minimum. League sources told The Athletic that the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were among the first contenders to contact Lillard and hope to complete a deal "sooner rather than later." The guard must decide whether to join a new club now—rehabbing under team supervision—or wait until next summer before returning to the court.