The sure-fire Hall of Famer is a free agent for the first time in his career, and the Celtics have a midlevel exception slot that could fit him nicely.

Of course, there are important caveats in the potential plans for both the Celtics and Lillard. From the player’s perspective, Lillard is — like Celtics star Jayson Tatum — currently rehabbing a ruptured Achilles tendon (sustained during a first-round playoff series in April).

The Celtics could not offer Damian Lillard much now in free agency but changes to the roster would change that.