Nobody expected this. When veteran point guard Damian Lillard hit free agency after Milwaukee waived him, championship contenders were lining up. Instead, the nine-time All-Star chose his heart over hardware, heading home to Portland, where his NBA journey began 13 years ago.
Why Did Damian Lillard Choose Portland Over Championship Contenders?
When the Milwaukee Bucks waived Lillard as free agency opened, it was a move that shocked the NBA. But on Thursday afternoon (July 17), he was at the center of another equally surprising move as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Lillard is returning to his old team, the Portland Trail Blazers for a three-year, $42 million deal.
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
The contract reunites Lillard with the team where he spent most of his 13-year career in the league, bringing joy to the Portland fan base as they welcome back one of their beloved stars. The deal includes a player option for the 2027-2028 season and a no-trade clause that ensures he won’t be moved against his will.
Lillard’s agreement with the Blazers is a surprise to many around the league, who had envisioned him joining another team aiming to get an NBA championship after the Bucks waived him on July 1. Milwaukee opted to stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract to give themselves the ability to make roster moves, including signing center Myles Turner to the team.
What Made This Homecoming So Unexpected?
ESPN’s NBA Today program on Thursday even included a segment discussing the possible destinations where Lillard could go, with Portland being named as one of them. Senior writer Tim McMahon did express that he would like to see Lillard be approached by his hometown team, the Golden State Warriors, who are currently the lone team in the league that hasn’t yet signed anyone in free agency.
Lillard did entertain multiple offers from other teams in the league, but the details of those offers weren’t disclosed at the time Charania reported. The buzz of his return had been initially rumored in an article in The Oregonian. The nine-time All-Star has been in Portland during the offseason rehabbing, as his family still resides there.
The 35-year-old is currently recuperating after suffering a torn Achilles in his left calf during Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. His return to Portland will see him add more veteran strength to a roster that already features point guard Jrue Holiday (recently acquired from Boston) and Matisse Thybulle in combination with young stars like Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.
