Damien Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers to pick up the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In one of the most shocking moves of this offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks abandoned Damian Lillard and created a cap space to sign Miles Turner.
Lillard suffered a brutal Achilles injury in the playoffs. This means he’ll miss out on the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. So the Bucks decided to move on from the stars.
Damien Lillard, now a free agent, was able to sign with an NBA team that had pay cap space despite not playing next season.
The Boston Celtics and La Lakers wanted to sign Lillard. However, with an amazing turn of events, Lillard chose to return to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Given the nature of his exit, Lillard’s return to Portland is quite surprising. However, it appears that there was one factor that rocked him to come back.
NBA insider Shamscharania spoke about ESPN about Damien Lillard’s return to the Portland Trail Blazers. He reveals that Lillard chose Portland to get closer to his family.
Dame has three children and is based in Portland. This is why he was interested in re-signing the Trail Blazers from the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and other NBA teams.
“Being home in Portland and returning with three kids was Damien Lillard’s biggest and most important factor, and I’m back to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers.
“He was going to spend the year rehabilitating Achilles’ tears in the Portland area anyway, so it was something he cared deeply about returning to the Blazers franchise despite demanding trade just two years ago.
“Boston, Minnesota, and dozens of other teams have provided minimal levels of exceptions for Damien Lillard over the past few weeks.
“But Lillard and Joe Cronin, Blazers GM and head coach Chauncy Billup have met at Damian Lillard’s home in recent weeks and come up with how they will reunite, bond and move forward.”
Speaking further about Lillard, Shams revealed that the former All-Star has plans for next season. He will spend rehabilitation for the 2025-26 campaign.
Lillard will then return to the Trail Blazers for the 2026-27 NBA season. Charania also pointed out how the Trail Blazers flipped Damian Lillard and Jule Holiday with some assets and regained them in just two seasons.
“Damien Lillard is expected to use the entire 2025-26 season to rehabilitate Achilles tears and return to the Portland Trail Blazers, returning to that arena ahead of the player options that will be the summer of 2027-27 summer.
“Now, Damien Lillard is going to Portland, where he will be rehabilitating, spending time in the community there and becoming a young roster leader.
“Portland was 22-18 last season, and since they were also top five defensive teams, this is clearly a team that is rebuilding and retooling.
“And just two years ago, they traded Damien Lillard for Jrue Holiday, then Jrue Holiday for more assets.
“Now they have Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and all these players and assets that have been able to build and deepen this team.”
The Trail Blazers were a big winner with Lillard. Being able to regain great players in franchise history is a huge boost to morale.
The Trail Blazers fan base is pleased that Dame is back. And once Lillard recovers, he can play in front of those fans again.