Earlier this offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks made the decision to waive and stretch nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. The move guaranteed the rest of his of salary over the last two years of his contract, but allowed Milwaukee to spread out his cap hit over five seasons. This allowed them the financial flexibility to build a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo by signing Myles Turner and several of their own key free agents.
Lillard, of course, is not going to play until late in the 2025-26 NBA season, if at all, due to a torn Achilles he suffered in the NBA Playoffs. In the end, this devastating injury put an unceremonious bow on two seasons that Lillard and Giannis become the highest-scoring duo in NBA history in terms of points per game, but only see the floor together for 29 total minutes in the postseason.
And now, Lillard is heading home.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Damian Lillard Is Returning to the Portland Trailblazers
On Thursday evening, it was reported by Shams Charania of ESPN that Lillard had reached a three-year $42 million contract agreement to return to the Portland Trailblazers, from whom the Bucks originally acquired nearly two years ago in exchange for Jrue Holdiday:
BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old. pic.twitter.com/mm1uUtMgO6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2025
Lillard, of course, spent the first 11 seasons of his NBA career with Portland, becoming the greatest player in that franchise’s history, their all-time leading scorer, and made a name for himself as one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players.
During his 11 seasons in Portland, Lillard averaged 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Damian Lillard Wanted to Play Close to Home
After reporting that Lillard was returning to the franchise he spent most of his career with, Charania also revealed why he made the decision to re-sign with them, despite the fact that his exit from the team followed a long, drawn-out feud with the front office:
Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate a torn Achilles tendon, but a return to the franchise and Portland where his family and kids reside were of the ultimate importance. He also had multiple mid-level exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders. https://t.co/leLbfY8zab
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2025
It was no secret that being away from his children affected Lillard mentally, especially in his first year with the Bucks. He spoke often of how hard it was to be away from them, and that he often felt lonely in Milwaukee because of the distance between himself and his family.
In this sense, a return to the Trailblazers was meant to be. It is not that he did not like the city of Milwaukee, the Bucks franchise, or his teammates; it was that he missed his kids.
And now he will likely finish his career with them close by.
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