Damian Lillard is officially back in Portland, and his return to the Trail Blazers is filled with emotion and meaning.
After nearly a year with the Milwaukee Bucks, the 34-year-old guard signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the franchise where he spent his first 11 seasons. Speaking to the media on Monday, Lillard made it clear: “I never wanted to leave to begin with.”
The moment that went viral occurred when Lillard walked back into the Blazers’ locker room. Speaking to reporters, he explained, “This is where I built my life and my home and everything. Walking back through those doors and walking back to my locker was just like, these types of things don’t happen in the NBA.”
His return follows a turbulent 2024–25 season. Lillard was waived by the Bucks on July 6 after suffering a torn left Achilles in Game 4 of the First Round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.
Earlier in the season, he had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, which sidelined him for nearly a month before his brief postseason return.
Despite the health setbacks, Lillard still produced at a high level in Milwaukee, averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and shooting 37.6% from three over 58 games. He also helped the Bucks capture the NBA Cup in December and earned his ninth All-Star selection in January.
Now, Lillard returns to a Portland franchise in transition, aiming to blend young talent with veteran leadership. Though no longer in his prime, his experience and connection to the city provide the Blazers with both cultural identity and basketball credibility.
Lillard has played 900 regular season games in his career, all of them as a starter, and owns a career scoring average of 25.1 points per game. His best scoring season came in 2022–23, when he averaged 32.2 points.
Portland drafted Lillard sixth overall in 2012, and he quickly became the face of the franchise. His loyalty and performance turned him into a six-time All-NBA selection and one of the most respected players in the league.
As the 2025–26 season approaches, Lillard’s return is more than a roster move—it’s a homecoming. “This is almost too good to be true,” he said.
