Damian Lillard Reunites with Portland: Star Guard’s Future Unclear After Major Injury

Damian Lillard is making a highly anticipated return to where his remarkable NBA journey first began — with the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran guard has reportedly agreed to a three-year, \$42 million contract with the team, according to a source familiar with the situation. Although the agreement hasn’t been officially announced, the news was confirmed by the Associated Press, and ESPN was the first to report it. At 35 years old, Lillard’s return to Portland marks a full-circle moment in his storied career, as he was originally selected by the Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. After spending 11 memorable seasons with the team, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks just before the 2023–24 NBA season. His time in Milwaukee was brief and turbulent due to injuries and shifting team priorities. While fans are excited about his homecoming, they may need to be patient before seeing him back on the court. Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during a playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, which required surgery. Due to the severity of the injury, it’s possible that Lillard could miss the entire 2025–26 NBA season. Earlier in the month, the Bucks waived Lillard and opted to stretch the remaining \$113 million on his contract over five years, effectively making him a free agent before his Portland return.

Despite his injury setbacks, Lillard had a strong statistical season. He ranked 10th in the league in both scoring and assists, averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game. He was also honored with his ninth All-Star Game selection. However, he was limited to just 58 games due to a serious health condition called deep vein thrombosis, which added to his already challenging year. Lillard made his return to Portland official in dramatic fashion, sharing a video on Instagram that featured the Trail Blazers’ locker room. The clip ended with a shot of a locker bearing his name, accompanied by the phrase “Together Again.” The caption, “RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!,” made it clear that his heart never really left the city.

During his final season before leaving Portland, Lillard averaged an incredible 32.2 points per game. He also became only the seventh player in NBA history to score more than 70 points in a single game, putting up 71 points against the Houston Rockets. His scoring ability has always been one of the league’s best, and fans hope he can regain that form once he’s healthy. Even though his performances were often heroic, the Trail Blazers only managed to win four playoff series during his tenure and made just one trip to the Western Conference Finals. Lillard’s connection to Portland has always been strong. He was a fan favorite and spoke openly about having no bad feelings about his departure. His move to Milwaukee was driven by a desire to compete for a championship alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Blazers were shifting their focus toward rebuilding around young players like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

Lillard has long been associated with Adidas through his signature shoe line, and in 2024, he hinted at a potential return to Portland during an event at Adidas’ North American headquarters. His return now seems to fulfill that promise. Over the course of his career, Lillard has etched his name into Portland’s record books, holding franchise records for total points (19,376) and 3-pointers made (2,387). He’s the only player in Trail Blazers history to score 70 or more points in a game and has achieved five games of 60-plus points. Across his entire NBA career, Lillard has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists per game. His accolades include being named Rookie of the Year in 2013, selection to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and earning a gold medal with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics. His return may be delayed by injury, but for the city of Portland and its loyal fanbase, having Lillard back in a Blazers jersey represents both a nostalgic reunion and a hopeful new chapter.