Damian Lillard Returns to Portland Trail Blazers on $42 Million Deal

In a significant turn of events, Damian Lillard has signed a three-year contract worth $42 million to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, the team that drafted him sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. The announcement, made on July 17, 2025, comes after Lillard's brief tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he played only the 2023-24 season before being waived earlier this month. According to a source who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, the deal has yet to be officially announced but was first reported by ESPN.

Lillard, 35, is a celebrated figure in Portland, having spent 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers before his trade to the Bucks, where he aimed to pursue a championship alongside star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. His return to Portland, however, is clouded by a significant injury; Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon during a first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and is expected to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season due to surgery.

Despite the injury, Lillard's impact on the franchise remains undeniable. He holds the Trail Blazers' records for points scored (19,376) and three-pointers made (2,387), and he is the only player in the team's history to score over 70 points in a single game, achieving this feat with a remarkable 71-point performance against the Houston Rockets.

Lillard's scoring prowess was evident in the 2024-25 season, where he ranked 10th in the league with an average of 24.9 points per game and 7.1 assists, earning his ninth All-Star selection. However, he only played 58 games that season due to a prior diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, which raises concerns about his long-term health and performance.

The Trail Blazers have been in a rebuilding phase, focusing on developing young talents like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Despite his departure, Lillard has maintained a positive relationship with the organization, expressing no hard feelings regarding his trade. He indicated a potential return to the Blazers during a 2024 event at Adidas' North American headquarters, hinting that he might always consider Portland home.

This reunion could have significant implications for the Trail Blazers as the franchise seeks stability and leadership amid a youth-oriented roster. The team’s management will likely have to navigate the complexities of Lillard's recovery while planning for the future without their star player for at least the upcoming season.

Lillard's commitment to the Trail Blazers underlines his legacy within the franchise and the city of Portland, where he is celebrated not only for his on-court achievements but also for his engagement with the community. His return, albeit under unfortunate circumstances, rejuvenates hope among fans for a future that honors his contributions to the team's history and culture.

As the franchise prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on how to integrate Lillard back into the fold once he is fully recovered, while also balancing the development of emerging talents who will play crucial roles in the team’s future strategy.