In a move that has excited fans and analysts alike, Damian Lillard, the beloved franchise icon, is making his way back to Portland. At 35 years old, Lillard is currently a free agent after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a strategy to create room for the signing of Myles Turner. Reports from Zach Lowe of the Ringer and Bill Oram of the Oregonian revealed that Lillard is deep in negotiations to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers, a sentiment he later confirmed via social media.
According to multiple sources, Lillard is set to sign a three-year, $45 million contract with the Trail Blazers. This deal includes a player option in the third year and a no-trade clause, ensuring that Lillard can comfortably return to the city he loves. The plan is for him to spend the upcoming season recovering from a torn Achilles, followed by two additional years of play in Portland.
From the moment he was waived by Milwaukee, speculation about Lillard's return to Portland was rampant. League insiders believed that his desire to be back home outweighed the pursuit of a championship elsewhere. For Lillard, Portland is more than just a city; it is where his family resides, and where his heart has always belonged.
During his eleven seasons with the Trail Blazers, Lillard established himself as a formidable player, earning seven All-NBA selections and multiple All-Star appearances. He was also named the 2013 Rookie of the Year, averaging an impressive 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game. Lillard's reputation as one of the best clutch players and leaders in the NBA is well-deserved, and his leadership will be invaluable for the current young roster in Portland.
The Trail Blazers are in a phase of development, featuring young talents like guards Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara, alongside recently drafted center Yang Hansen from China. The addition of Jrue Holiday, acquired during the offseason, offers a mentorship role for these young guards. Interestingly, Lillard and Holiday were once traded for each other in 2023, and now they will be teammates in Portland.
With Lillard out for the upcoming season as he recovers, the immediate questions about rotation minutes and guard dynamics are less pressing. There is potential for Holiday to be traded to a contender as the trade deadline approaches, which could further reshape the team's guard situation. The Trail Blazers previously traded Lillard in an attempt to kickstart a rebuild and place him on a contending team. That trade ultimately benefited Portland, yielding players like Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Camara, and a first-round pick from the Bucks in 2029.
Although the trade initially appeared promising for Milwaukee, the anticipated chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard did not materialize, hampered by injuries and a lack of synergy in their playing styles. Following Lillard's Achilles injury in the postseason, the Bucks chose to part ways, stretching the nearly $113 million remaining on his contract over five years. This decision, however, leaves Milwaukee with $22 million in dead money on their books for each of the next five years.
As Lillard prepares for his return to the Trail Blazers, fans eagerly await what this new chapter will bring. With a blend of experience and youthful talent, Portland hopes to create a competitive roster that can honor Lillard's legacy while aiming for future success in the NBA.
