Damian Lillard is headed back to Portland on a 3-year, $42M deal after being waived by Milwaukee. The All-Star is rehabbing an Achilles injury but plans to reunite with the Blazers’ young core.
Dame Time is officially back in Portland.
In a move that feels like both a twist and a full-circle moment, Damian Lillard is returning to the team that drafted him back in 2012. After the Milwaukee Bucks waived and stretched his contract, Lillard has signed a three-year, $42 million deal to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Let that sink in — one of Rip City’s all-time greats is suiting back up for round two.
The Comeback Trail
While the news sent Portland fans into a celebratory spiral, there’s a bit of a wait before we see Dame on the court. Lillard is rehabbing from a torn Achilles, and is unlikely to suit up during the 2025-26 season. But once he’s back to 100%, he’ll step into a revamped Blazers backcourt featuring Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Shaedon Sharpe. That’s a spicy guard rotation, folks.
Even with Father Time doing his thing and a tough injury in play, Lillard’s leadership, loyalty, and scoring gravity make this return more than just a sentimental move — it could be a savvy rebuild booster for Portland.
Lillard’s Legacy in Portland
Drafted sixth overall in 2012, Lillard became the face of the franchise in no time. His resume with the Blazers is stacked:
- 7x All-Star
- 8 straight playoff appearances (2014–2021)
- Western Conference Finals berth in 2019
- Countless buzzer-beaters and “logo three” moments that made fans believe in Dame Time like it was a religion.
His departure to Milwaukee last season marked a major shift for the Blazers, but the homecoming now gives the fanbase — and the locker room — a familiar heartbeat again.
Isaiah Thomas Predicted It (Kinda)
One of the more fun reactions came from Isaiah Thomas, who tweeted that his son saw this coming before anyone:
“Dame back to PO… My son James said that right after he got waived! lol crazy…”
Thomas knows a thing or two about NBA reunions not happening (Boston, looking at you), so the comment had a little emotional weight — and humor — to it.
What This Means for Portland
Real talk? This move isn’t just a reunion tour. It’s about bridging Portland’s past with its future. A healthy Lillard paired with young talent could spark something dangerous in the West — maybe not title contention right away, but culture reset vibes are in full swing.
Lillard doesn’t just bring shot-making. He brings mentorship, marketability, and a sense of identity that the team has sorely missed.
Summary
- Damian Lillard signs 3-year, $42M deal with the Portland Trail Blazers
- Waived by the Bucks, currently rehabbing an Achilles injury
- Not expected to play in 2025-26 but will rejoin the backcourt alongside Scoot Henderson & co.
- Fans (and even Isaiah Thomas’ son) saw this reunion coming
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