After being waived by the Bucks, Damian Lillard shocked the NBA by signing a 3-year, $42M deal with the rebuilding Trail Blazers. Fans are split on the loyalty vs. legacy debate—and wondering what Dame’s endgame really is.
Dame Time Returns to Portland—But At What Cost?
Damian Lillard is going home—but not everyone’s cheering.
After getting waived and having his deal stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard was reportedly thrilled about the reset. Recovering from a torn Achilles and still owed money, he had the rare freedom to choose his next move without financial pressure. And with contenders circling like sharks, most expected him to ride off into championship contention.
Instead, he stunned the league on Thursday by re-signing with the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal that includes a player option for 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. Yep—Dame’s coming full circle.
According to Shams Charania, the deal is nearly finalized, and social media reactions? Let’s just say Dame broke the internet again—just not in the way most expected.
💬 NBA Twitter Reacts: Heartwarming or Head-Scratching?
As you’d expect, the takes came in hot, spicy, and a little confused.
“Dame never cheated the grind. Finishing his HOF career where it all started. This is just flat out dope.”
— One fan, straight to the heartstrings.
“Bro hates winning lol.”
— Another fan, clearly more about rings than reunions.
“I like Lillard, but he’s never winning a ring at this rate.”
— Oof. Cold, but not uncommon.
“Screwed my Lakers.”
— From a purple-and-gold perspective, fair.
“Wow Celtics what happened.”
— Boston fans echoing the general confusion.
And the most brutal one:
“The Cinderella story is cute but why are they giving a 35-year-old coming off a torn Achilles $18 million a year?”
Yikes. The Internet stays undefeated.
🏥 The Injury Factor: Achilles Ain’t a Minor Thing
Let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Lillard is coming off a torn left Achilles, suffered during Game 4 of the Bucks’ 2025 playoff series against Indiana. The injury ended his season and could sideline him all of 2025–26.
That alone makes this move eyebrow-raising. Add in the fact that Portland’s still in rebuild mode—and that Lillard is 35—and you start to wonder: Why now?
He could’ve waited. He was reportedly fielding calls from contenders like the Celtics, Lakers, Warriors, and Nuggets. He could’ve pulled a KD, joined a super team, and ring-chased like the rest.
Instead, Dame chose… legacy?
⏳ What Happened to Dame’s Title Window?
Lillard played 11 seasons in Portland (2012–2023) after being drafted 6th overall. He racked up:
- 7x All-Star nods
- Countless buzzer-beaters
- Icon status in Oregon
Then came the trade request, the Bucks chapter, the injury, and now… this.
In Milwaukee, pairing him with Giannis looked like a superteam on paper. But the Bucks never gelled, and injuries derailed everything. Now, with that era cut short, Lillard is back where it all started—but not necessarily where winning awaits.
It’s an emotional move, no doubt. But it also raises real questions:
- Can a rebuilding Portland team support him?
- Will he ever play meaningful playoff minutes again?
- Is Dame prioritizing comfort over competition?
Final Word: Loyalty Is Beautiful. Rings Are Forever.
There’s something poetic about Lillard finishing his Hall of Fame career in the city that embraced him from Day 1. His loyalty is rare, and that’s worth celebrating.
But in a league that often remembers what you won more than how you stayed, this move leaves a lot of fans wondering: Did Dame just choose the story over the shot?
Either way, it’s Dame Time again in Rip City. Let’s see if the next chapter is a fairytale… or a farewell tour.
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