Damian Lillard is confident in his abilities as the free agent ponders his options after the Milwaukee Bucks waived the nine-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA player on Tuesday.

NBA insider Chris Haynes detailed the apparently strained relationship between Lillard and Milwaukee this week. "I was informed that Aaron Goodwin, Damian Lillard's agent, about a month ago, reached out to the Bucks and informed them that Dame would like to rehab back home in Portland.

Damian Lillard's departure from the Milwaukee Bucks came out of nowhere. It seemed that no one, maybe not even Dame, saw it coming. But with a torn Achilles, Lillard became expendable for a Bucks team trying to keep contending and keep Giannis Antetokounmpo around.