Given Lillard's deal with the Trail Blazers, it's easy to see why the Celtics struggled to place a competitive offer. Boston, after all, is currently trying to duck under the second luxury tax apron.

The Boston Celtics were interested in Damian Lillard, but the nine-time All-Star decided on Thursday to return to where his NBA career started when he re-joined the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard made a name for himself in Portland,

The Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves offered contracts to Damian Lillard, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. However, Lillard chose to sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.

“Boston, Minnesota — dozens of other teams — had minimum and mid-level exception offers out to Damian Lillard in the last several weeks,” Charania said. “Next year, Damian Lillard will make $70 million between his Bucks and Blazers salaries. In the next two years, he’ll be at $140 million combined in salaries.”

Boston Celtics free agency target Damian Lillard returned to the Portland TrailBlazers after two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference. The

Some sections of Boston's fan base may view this as a missed opportunity. Yet, it's vital to put things into perspective.

To that end, a new update has been revealed about Boston's rumored pursuit of Lillard. According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Tatum has been actively recruiting Lillard to the Celtics.

Despite rumors that the Boston Celtics were interested, free agent guard Damian Lillard is signing with the Portland Trail Blazers.