Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers strike a deal for veteran guard’s return to Portland

The Portland Trail Blazers are moving toward a stunning reunion with Damian Lillard two years after they traded the franchise icon to the Milwaukee Bucks in an effort to kickstart a rebuild.

NBA sources told The Oregonian/OregonLive that Lillard is strongly considering signing with the franchise where he became a seven-time All-Star over the first 11 years of his career, and that sides are deep in discussions about a reunion.

It was later confirmed that the two sides

agreed to a three-year deal for $42 million

with a player option in the final season (2027-28).

Lillard, 35, is

currently rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon

suffered that is expected to sideline him for most of, if not all, of the upcoming season.

READ MORE:

Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury opens a wound for Blazers fans, too

The Blazers drafted Lillard with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and in 11 seasons he became a beloved figure not just to basketball fans, but across Portland for his fierce loyalty to the city and franchise.

Even after he was traded, Lillard, whose kids live in Portland and who keeps a home here, said his goal was to return to the Trail Blazers before retiring.

However, it

seemed unlikely that it would be at this moment

, as Lillard was working his way back from an injury and the Blazers, under general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups, were focused on developing a young core led by Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.

Returning under these circumstances would go down as a historic moment in the franchise’s history and a major shot in the arm for the franchise’s fanbase — even if it somewhat muddies the team’s direction in the short term.

After the Blazers missed the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, Lillard requested a trade to pursue a championship. After an awkward stalemate between him and the franchise, the Blazers traded him to Milwaukee for a package of players and draft picks meant to chart a new direction.

However, those championship dreams never came to fruition in Milwaukee, with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo suffering an injury that kept him out of last year’s playoffs, and Lillard tearing his Achilles this year.

Last season, the Blazers won 36 games in their second season without Lillard.

—

Bill Oram

is the sports columnist at The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Stories by

Bill Oram

• Damian Lillard’s rare form of loyalty was always going to lead him back to Portland | Bill Oram

• The Portland Fire’s strength will always be the passion of the fanbase | Bill Oram

• Why Portland’s new WNBA team has more riding on its success than just basketball | Bill Oram

About The Author