Celtics pursuit in Damian Lillard calms down for one major reason
According to reports, the Boston Celtics have some interest, and it makes plenty of sense. Whether they view him as a star instantly when he returns from his injury, or someone they can pair with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in certain sets, there's reason to believe that Lillard would be a great fit.
Advertisement
He isn't the best defender, which doesn't exactly fit the Celtics, but outside of that, he'd be a nice addition.
It won't be easy for the Celtics to land him, with MassLive.com recently outlining what it would take for the Celtics to pick him up in free agency. It's also important to note that Lillard will be sidelined for much of next season due to his Achilles injury.
'The Celtics are currently slightly above the second apron with their projected payroll, but more tweaks to the roster are being explored per sources. Those inevitable tweaks will ultimately reduce Boston's payroll and salaries in a season where spending big into the tax doesn't make sense when Tatum is sidelined.
'While Boston remains above the second apron, they can only offer the veteran's minimum exception. However, as long as the Celtics get and stay under the second apron (via other moves), the door would open technically to Boston using the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.7 million). Whether Boston would want to offer that money to Lillard is an open question, since giving him that deal would make getting under the luxury tax line this season that much more challenging (Boston is already $20 million over the tax line with the current roster),' they wrote.
Advertisement
MORE: Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pitch swaps four players and three picks from Bulls
As the Celtics attempt to navigate their situation, they have to find a way to get under the luxury tax. They're already over $20 million over that tax line with the current roster, per MassLive, and adding Lillard would only add to that.
However, they can get creative, so it's possible that this could work.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Morgan Stanley Assumes Coverage of Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM) with an Overweight Rating
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXSM) is one of the 13 Best Pharma Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts. On July 3, Morgan Stanley analyst Sean Laaman assumed coverage of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXSM) with an Overweight rating and a $190 price target. The firm stated that the base case for the rating is the expected on-time supplemental New Drug application Submission for AXS-05 in Alzheimer's Disease Agitation. According to the analyst, it has a high probability of regulatory success and may lead to a potential $900 million in sales by 2030. A pharmacist preparing a prescription for a rapidly absorbed multi-mechanistic medicine. He further stated that the continued launch progress of Auvelity in major depressive disorder is another positive factor for Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXSM). The analyst told investors in a research note that this growth trajectory is anticipated to continue, supported by market penetration strategies and an expanded sales force. Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXSM) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops and delivers therapies for central nervous system conditions with limited treatment options. Its two commercial products and development programs include Auvelity and Sunosi. Auvelity treats major depressive disorder (MDD), and Sunosi is an oral medication for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. While we acknowledge the potential of AXSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Summit Therapeutics Reportedly Makes $15B AstraZeneca Licensing Talks for Lung Cancer Drug
Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMT) is one of the best hot stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On July 3, Bloomberg News reported that AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is in discussions with Summit Therapeutics for a licensing agreement concerning an experimental lung cancer drug, with a potential value of up to $15 billion. The proposed deal for the drug, which is known as ivonescimab, could involve an upfront payment of several billion dollars to Summit, in addition to future milestone payments. However, the talks are ongoing and could still fall apart. Summit might even choose to partner with a different company. Neither Summit nor AstraZeneca has officially commented on the report. A laboratory employee in a sterile environment inspecting a microscope focused on a Clostridioides difficile infection sample. Summit Therapeutics secured the rights to ivonescimab through a separate deal worth up to $5 billion with China-based Akeso in December 2022. Under that agreement, Summit gained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ivonescimab in the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan, while Akeso (OTC:AKESF) retained rights for other regions, including China. The deal included an upfront payment of $500 million to Akeso and potential regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $4.5 billion. Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMT) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes patient, physician, caregiver, and societal-friendly medicinal therapies. AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines. While we acknowledge the potential of SMMT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Citizens JMP Reiterates a Buy Rating on Dynavax Technologies (DVAX) With a Price Target of $31
Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX) is one of the 13 Best Pharma Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts. On June 23, Citizens JMP analyst Roy Buchanan reiterated a Buy rating on Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX) and set a price target of $31.00. A biopharmaceutical company executive signing a collaboration agreement with a partner. The company reported record net product revenue for HEPLISAV-B in fiscal Q1 2025, reaching $65 million and showing a 36% year-over-year growth. HEPLISAV-B is the first and only adult vaccine for hepatitis B approved in the US, the UK, and the EU. Its total estimated market share in the US rose to around 43%, compared to around 41% in fiscal Q1 2024. Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX) also announced plans for the new pandemic influenza adjuvant program and Lyme disease vaccine programs to enter clinical development in 2025 and 2027, respectively. In addition, the company expects top-line results in Part 1 of the Phase 1/2 shingles vaccine trial by fiscal Q3 2025. Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes novel vaccines and immuno-oncology therapeutics. The company's product pipeline includes HEPLISAV-B, a vaccine for all known subtypes of the hepatitis B virus in adults aged 18 and above. While we acknowledge the potential of DVAX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None.