Damian Lillard has officially rejoined the Portland Trail Blazers, signing a three-year contract worth $42 million to return to the team where he spent 11 seasons. This move comes after being waived and bought out by the Milwaukee Bucks, and it marks a deliberate choice by Lillard to return to Portland, the city where he built his family roots and established his career, despite interest from other <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA contenders.
Background on Lillard’s Move Back to Portland
On July 1, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks waived Lillard, buying out the final two years of his contract that still carried $113 million in remaining salary. The decision by Milwaukee followed the Achilles injury Lillard sustained in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, which will likely sideline him for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. Despite this serious injury, Lillard entered free agency and attracted offers from multiple contending teams.
However, he opted against joining any other contender and chose instead to return to the Trail Blazers, a franchise synonymous with his name and career. This decision reflects a desire to complete his basketball journey where it began and to be close to his family during his rehabilitation.
The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, with NBA insider Chris Haynes revealing behind-the-scenes negotiations involved a reconciliation between Lillard and Portland’s general manager, Joe Cronin, who had traded Lillard to Milwaukee the previous season.
Portland GM Joe Cronin met at the star’s house weeks ago and the two made amends and focused their attention on getting a deal done to give Lillard the opportunity to retire as a Trail Blazer. —Chris Haynes, NBA Insider
Financial Upside and Contract Details That Favor Lillard
This agreement represents a substantial win for Lillard in several ways. Being traded to Milwaukee had never been his preferred scenario, and he openly shared the personal challenges he faced after relocating. Now, by signing with Portland, he gains the comfort of rehabbing in his longtime home city amid his family, including his mother, brother, and children.
Financially, the new contract is advantageous for Lillard. His prior deal with the Bucks promised $56 million for the 2025-26 season, a payment he was entitled to regardless of injury. However, his new $42 million agreement over three years secures him close to $70 million for the upcoming season, potentially making him the highest-paid player in the NBA unofficially.
The contract also includes a player option for 2027 and a no-trade clause, a rare privilege shared only with LeBron James in the league. This clause grants Lillard control over any trade decisions and allows him flexibility to opt in or out of the final contract year, positioning himself for a potential payday if he returns to form following rehabilitation.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Defensive Strength Built for Lillard’s Return
From a basketball perspective, the Blazers have assembled a roster better aligned with Lillard’s style and needs than in previous years. Throughout his career, Lillard has sought a defensively strong supporting group, and this roster now features key players to fill that role.
Defensively talented wing Toumani Camara earned Second-Team All-Defense honors in only his second season, known for disrupting guards with his length and agility. Additionally, Jrue Holiday, a six-time All-Defense selectee, still defends at a high level despite being 35 years old and remains under contract for three more seasons. Deni Avdjia also provides solid team defense on the wing.
Protecting the rim is a priority with seven-foot rookie Donovan Clingan averaging 1.6 blocks per game, projecting as a cornerstone rim protector. Portland’s 2025 draft pick, 7-foot-2 Yang Hansen, showed promising shot-blocking skills during summer league, complementing veterans like Rob Williams III, a career shot-blocker who despite injuries, averaged 1.7 blocks per game over seven years.
The defensive core, supported by emerging second-year point guard Scoot Henderson, helped the Blazers become an above-average scoring defense post-All-Star break in 2025. During that period, the team achieved an impressive run of 10 wins in 11 games, even without veteran forward Jerami Grant, who averaged 14.4 points and shot 36.4% from beyond the arc over 47 games.
Leadership Role Expected as Lillard Focuses on Rehab and Mentorship
Per reports from Shams Charania, Lillard will miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season while focusing on recovering from his Achilles injury. Although he will be sidelined from in-game action, his return to Portland positions him as a crucial veteran leader and mentor in the locker room during this rebuilding phase.
Scoot Henderson, Portland’s 2024 No. 3 draft pick, is still striving to establish himself as the starting point guard, grappling with turnovers and a 40.1% shooting average over two years. Rising talent Shaedon Sharpe also contributes significantly, posting 18.5 points per game last season, serving as a reliable threat from deep and excelling in athletic finishes at the rim.
The Blazers had been targeting a play-in tournament spot for the next season based on their late-season momentum, and while Lillard will not be available on the court, his presence will bolster the team’s morale and development.
Anticipating Lillard’s On-Court Impact in the 2026-27 Season
When Lillard returns roughly sixteen months after surgery, he is expected to resume his role as Portland’s primary ball-handler and offensive centerpiece. During his final season with the Blazers in 2023, Lillard averaged 32.2 points per game, shooting 37.1% from three-point range, and distributing 7.3 assists, all while carrying a heavy offensive workload.
His numbers decreased to 24.9 points with Milwaukee, although his three-point accuracy slightly improved to 37.6%, and he averaged 7.1 assists. The scoring drop was largely attributed to sharing the court with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. At 36 years old, questions remain about how well Lillard can regain his pre-injury form, since returning from significant injuries tends to be more challenging with age.
If Lillard recovers to about 90% of his previous level, he would offer Portland an indispensable playmaker and scoring option, addressing a vital need for a primary offensive creator on the roster.
Lillard’s Lasting Legacy in Portland and Future Prospects
Lillard’s return represents a triumph for the Trail Blazers, their fans, and the player himself. He has long been an integral figure in the Portland community and remains the most beloved player in franchise history. Beyond his on-court accomplishments, Lillard’s commitment to the city has been unwavering, and he has earned the promise of a statue outside the Moda Center as a symbol of his lasting impact.
After two seasons away from Portland, the franchise’s iconic star is back, rejuvenating the team’s on-court capabilities and providing invaluable mentorship. This chapter in his career is shaping up as an ideal conclusion to a Hall of Fame-worthy tenure, with the aim of finishing at home where it all started.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Damian Lillard score 70?
A. Damian Lillard’s celebrations after the game ended quickly because he was selected for a drug test. Scoring 71 points in one game placed him among top NBA players. His remarkable score ties for the eighth-highest in a single game, yet it’s still far from Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point record from 1962.