Damian Lillard has found a new home after unexpectedly being released by the Milwaukee Bucks at the start of NBA free agency. He has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. In preparation for his comeback, Lillard has held several discussions with Portland’s head coach, GM Joe Cronin, and Chauncey Billups.
Last season, Lillard dealt with several injuries including hamstring, groin, and calf issues, limiting him to 58 regular-season games. When healthy, he maintained strong performance, averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. However, late in the season, he was sidelined by a blood clot in his right calf. He made a surprising recovery in time for the playoffs and returned during Portland’s series against the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, his comeback was cut short after he tore his left Achilles in Game 4, ending his season as the Bucks eventually lost the series in five games.
With months of recovery ahead, the Bucks decided to part ways with the star guard at the start of free agency. Lillard still has $113 million remaining on his contract, which the Bucks plan to spread over multiple seasons to ease salary cap impacts. Following this decision, several teams, including the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers, reportedly reached out to Lillard’s camp as they seek veteran players on a flexible basis.
This injury brings significant uncertainty to Lillard’s future. At 34, he remains one of the best shooters in the league, boasting an impressive 13-year career with accolades including Rookie of the Year (2012-13), nine All-Star selections, seven All-NBA teams, and five top-10 MVP finishes. Despite the setbacks from blood clots and the Achilles injury, Lillard demonstrated strong stats prior to his injuries.
The Trail Blazers are hopeful that Lillard will continue to be a prolific scorer and overcome injury challenges. Although the exact timeline for his return is unclear, Lillard is expected to be highly motivated to prove he still has much to contribute, especially after the surprising decision by the Bucks to release him.
—
Fan Take: This move is significant because it reunites Damian Lillard with the team where he became a star, offering Portland a chance to build around one of the game’s most talented guards. For basketball fans, it signals a compelling storyline of redemption and resilience that could have a major impact on the NBA’s competitive landscape in the coming seasons.
