Damian Lillard made his official return to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday during a highly anticipated press conference, marking his first appearance with the team since joining the Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons. The moment drew praise from longtime Western Conference rival Draymond Green, who acknowledged the significance of Lillard’s homecoming.
Green, a key figure on the Golden State Warriors, shared a video of Lillard’s press conference on his Instagram story and added a heartfelt comment about the setting.
“The backdrop just look right,” Green wrote in his Instagram story, pointing out the Trail Blazers logos behind Lillard.
Throughout Lillard’s initial tenure in Portland, the Trail Blazers and Warriors met frequently in intense playoff series. Their squads clashed in the 2016 Western Conference semifinals, the 2017 opening round, and the 2019 Western Conference finals, with the Warriors prevailing in each of those contests.
Lillard spent the first 11 years of his NBA career with Portland, from 2012 until a falling-out in 2023 led to his trade to Milwaukee, where he played alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite high expectations, the Bucks did not advance past the first round of the playoffs during Lillard’s two seasons there.
In May of last year, Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the entire following season. After Milwaukee waived him last month, he was able to rejoin Portland, returning to a team that is rebuilding around younger players.
With the Trail Blazers now featuring promising talents like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, Lillard is expected to bring veteran leadership and experience to the squad, helping to guide the franchise’s next chapter.
Lillard Opens Up About His Return to Portland and Its Personal Meaning
Having spent over a decade in Portland, Damian Lillard has grown deeply connected to the city, its community, and his family. His return carries emotional weight, which he expressed candidly during the press conference.
“Just knowing that I’m going to be back home for all parts of my life, with my kids, playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets that I’ve driven on pretty much my entire adulthood, my whole family being here, my mom, my brother, my sisters, all my friends around the city of Portland,” Lillard said during the press conference.
“All of those things count. I wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon,” he added.
According to ESPN reports, Lillard has committed to a three-year contract worth $42 million, signaling his intention to finish his career where he began. This deal allows him to remain a central figure for the Trail Blazers as both a player and mentor.
Lillard’s homecoming not only revives a familiar chapter in his career but also provides Portland with renewed hope for future success. His presence is expected to inspire confidence among young teammates and fans alike while reconnecting the franchise with one of its greatest stars.