In a move that feels ripped from a Hollywood script, complete with a dramatic arc and a heartwarming resolution, NBA superstar Damian Lillard is returning to where it all began: the Portland Trail Blazers. At 35 years old, Lillard`s decision isn`t merely a contract signing; it`s a profound statement on loyalty, legacy, and perhaps, the romantic notion of finishing one`s career where it truly started.
The veteran point guard has agreed to a three-year deal with the Blazers, a testament to his enduring value despite the ticking clock of age. This contract comes with a unique twist: it guarantees his permanence in Rip City by including a crucial no-trade clause. Furthermore, Lillard will receive an additional $42 million from Portland, supplementing the $113 million still owed to him by his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks. It`s a lucrative homecoming for a player who redefined the franchise`s scoring records, having amassed 19,376 points during his initial 11 seasons with the Blazers – a record that stands tall in franchise history.
The Milwaukee Interlude: A Chapter Cut Short
Lillard`s brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks was intended to be his championship quest, forming a formidable duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo. His two seasons there saw him earn two All-Star selections and even capture the 2024 NBA Cup. However, injuries plagued Milwaukee`s postseason aspirations, preventing them from truly contending for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The abrupt end to his time as a Buck was, to put it mildly, bewildering.
After suffering a left Achilles tendon rupture in Game 4 of the 2025 playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Lillard`s season was over. What followed was a stark reminder of the often-ruthless pragmatism of the modern NBA: the Bucks, without apparent technical or financial exigency, decided to waive him. Their stated reason? To clear salary cap space for Myles Turner, a player who, ironically, was coming off a rather forgettable performance in the Finals. It was a decision that struck many as both hasty and strategically incomprehensible, delivering a significant blow to the team’s public image and leaving Lillard in an unexpected free agency.
Legacy Over Rings: A Different Kind of Glory
In a league often defined by championship rings, Lillard’s choice to return to Portland is a powerful counter-narrative. He could have pursued a championship elsewhere, perhaps even accepting a diminished role on a contending team. Instead, he chose a different path to eternal glory: becoming the enduring symbol of a city, a community, and a franchise. It`s a romantic epilogue for a player who, despite his exceptional talent, has yet to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Lillard joins an illustrious, albeit bittersweet, club of legendary point guards who made an indelible mark on the game without a championship ring – names like John Stockton, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Allen Iverson. For Lillard, born in Oakland and discovered by a lesser-known college like Weber State, his journey has always been about defying expectations and scripting his own unique narrative. Perhaps, then, his destiny was not to conform to the traditional championship narrative, but to embody a more authentic, unyielding form of greatness – much like his captivating play on the court.
Portland`s Peculiar Play: A GM`s Conundrum
From Lillard`s perspective, the decision to return home is crystal clear. He maintains deep roots in Rip City, where he even underwent rehabilitation after his operation. Conversations with Coach Billups seemingly solidified his role as a mentor to the Blazers` promising young core. Yet, the same cannot be said for the team`s General Manager, Joe Cronin, whose decisions regarding Lillard have raised more than a few eyebrows.
Two years prior, Cronin baffled many by rejecting Lillard`s preferred trade destination (Miami) in favor of Milwaukee, essentially showing the door to a franchise icon who had never demanded a trade outright. Now, he brings Lillard back, not for a pittance, but with a substantial contract, considering the circumstances and Lillard’s age. The hope, presumably, is that Lillard can once again propel the Blazers to the playoffs, a feat he accomplished eight times previously, culminating in the 2019 Western Conference Finals – his deepest postseason run.
The Road Ahead for Rip City: Mentorship and Ambition
Lillard`s return is poised to offer invaluable guidance to Portland`s talented but raw backcourt duo, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Alongside fellow veteran Jrue Holiday, who was ironically traded for Lillard two seasons ago and now finds himself a teammate, Lillard will provide leadership and a living example of NBA excellence. The Blazers also boast other intriguing young prospects, including forwards Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, and centers Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, the Chinese prospect from the latest draft.
However, Damian Lillard is not one to simply fade into the background. He is a competitor who will undoubtedly seek the driver`s seat, the team`s steering wheel. It`s improbable to imagine him willingly accepting a reserve role behind a younger talent like Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 Draft, especially at the Moda Center, his former undisputed domain. The question remains whether he can still ignite the Blazers` arena with the same electrifying enthusiasm. One thing is certain: in Portland, it`s once again Lillard Time. A chance to refresh cherished memories, and Rip City, it seems, couldn`t be more ready.
Murray Blackwood