9x NBA All-Star Damien Lillard made a massive U-turn decision with the Portland Trail Blazers.
In the summer of 2023, Damien Lillard gave up the Portland Trail Blazers after giving the organization 11 years before demanding trade.
Dame was traded for the Milwaukee Bucks. However, it only took Lillard two seasons to be abandoned by the Bucks.
Many rumored destinations have been debated as Lillard became an unlimited free agent, but the 35-year-old decides to return to the Trail Blazers on a three-year contract.
The idea of Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo sounded phenomenal, at least on paper. Unfortunately, the injured prevented the duo from reaching their full potential.
The duo won the 2025 NBA Cup title, and Giannis announced that it was just their start. However, the exit of the first round in the 2025 postseason and the torn Achilles injury seems to have made Lillard annoyed.
Now he’s rehabilitating from an injury in the same place that he drafted in 2012. That being said, does Lillard regret having been traded with the Bucks? Patrick Beverly had that answer in X.
“I don’t know, but I know that in the year he was there (Portland), he wasn’t injured.
Lillard didn’t suffer any horrible injuries like a torn Achilles heel, but missed everything except 29 games during the 2021-22 NBA season. This was the result of surgery for prolonged abdominal injury.
Either way, Lillard had a relatively influence on the Trail Blazers than his short two-year stint in Milwaukee.
At 35, Lillard’s best years could be behind him, especially when he recovers from a horrifying injury. When he returns to the Trail Blazers, he may not be able to win the NBA championship either.
But Beverly is overjoyed with the dam’s decision to give up the “chase the ring” culture and choose to return to the Trail Blazers.
“To Portland, he’s not wrong. I said after that ring. I’m back to a place of love. It’s really what the Hoopers want: peace of mind and a good hoop,” Beverly added to X.
Once the Lillard Fan version comes back from injury, it will be interesting to see which version will be witnessed. After all, the most important factor in Lillard’s return had not even been linked to his victory in the court.