Following a couple of solid moves at the trade deadline, it seems as though the Milwaukee Bucks are set to emerge as contenders in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, news broke yesterday regarding star Damian Lillard, who may miss the rest of the regular season and perhaps the playoffs with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard has sustained a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf. Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the blood clot, and will continue with regular testing. He is out indefinite period. pic.twitter.com/CC7k9bXnZV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2025
If that ends up being the case, then it will be a frustrating development for the Bucks, who started off this season going just 2-8 before rallying to win the in-season tournament. Now, after trading franchise legend Khris Middleton to get better, they are now ultimately worse off without Lillard.
It was already a stretch to think that they could make the NBA Finals as a four seed having to go through both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. But if Lillard is out for the rest of the year, then that is virtually impossible.
A potentially early postseason exit could also have much bigger ramifications, with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo previously hinting that the Bucks would have to win it all for him to want to stay in Milwaukee. If Milwaukee fails to have a deep playoff run, then it's not impossible to think that Giannis will eventually demand a trade, whether it be this summer or next summer.
What's next for the Milwaukee Bucks following Damian Lillard's potentially season-ending injury?
With only a dozen games remaining on their schedule and less than a month left in the regular season, it seems unlikely that he will return before the playoffs. Even if the Bucks were to go on a deep playoff run without him, it seems unlikely that he could even come back during the postseason.
After all, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was also previously diagnosed with DVT just after the All-Star break and was preemptively ruled out for the remainder of the regular season even back in February. DVT requires individuals to go on blood thinners, and that often requires very little physical activity to decrease the chances of bleeding out.
Previously, it took Toronto Raptors star Brandon Ingram nine months to return from DVT, and while that was on his lungs, he was also far younger. That could even call into question Lillard's availability for the beginning of next season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could force a trade if the Bucks fail to advance in the playoffs.
Of course, Lillard's health comes first and foremost, but he is already 34 years old, and the Bucks are essentially handcuffed to him. After all, he has two remaining seasons on his contract for a combined $112 million, and they are unlikely to be able to trade him if push came to shove even though he had a solid season.
If Giannis doesn't see a path forward in Milwaukee, it's possible that he could demand a trade, and the Bucks would likely be forced to oblige him. Giannis is only under contract for two more guaranteed seasons, and they have virtually no trade assets to continue to build around him with.
If they were to play their cards right, then he could net them one of the biggest trade hauls in NBA history, but a lot would have to happen before it got to that point for both Giannis and the Bucks.