PORTLAND – Damian Lillard is coming home. The nine-time NBA All-Star is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Shams Charania broke the news first.
BREAKING Damian Lillard Seals Sentimental Return To Trail Blazers
The deal includes a player option for the 2027–28 season and a no-trade clause — the ultimate sign of trust between franchise and legend. This storybook reunion sends Lillard, now 35, back to the city that raised him into an icon.
Lillard’s Deal Stretches Across Two Teams
Lillard’s new salary will see him earn $70 million for the 2025–26 season alone when combining this deal with his Milwaukee contract. Over two years, he’ll rake in $141 million before the opt-out in 2027.
Blazers officials and his agent, Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management, are expected to finalize all terms this week. The Trail Blazers see this move as more than basketball. It’s closure, family and legacy rolled into one.
A Portland Icon In More Than Name
Lillard is much more than an elite scorer for Portland. He’s a fixture in the community. For years, he’s poured time and money into local youth programs, music and charity work. From “Respect the Hustle” basketball camps to major donations for local schools, Lillard’s imprint goes far beyond the Moda Center floor.
On the court, his resume speaks for itself. He earned All-Star honors last season, putting up 24.9 points and 6.1 assists per game on elite shooting splits — 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from deep, and 92.1% at the line. During his first Portland stint, Dame racked up MVP votes in five different seasons. Few point guards combined loyalty and production like he did.
Not An Immediate Fix
Don’t expect Dame Time this season, though. He is expected to sit out all of 2025–26 to recover. So, Damian Lillard won’t affect the Trail Blazers’ rotation this year — but his return will spark an interesting dilemma in the crowded guard room.
Portland already has Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe competing for minutes. When Lillard is ready, head coach Chauncey Billups will have tough calls to make.
A Reunion Both Sides Wanted
This sentimental comeback didn’t happen overnight. Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers spent weeks in talks. Multiple meetings brought together the franchise legend, general manager Joe Cronin and Billups to align their vision.
They didn’t just want to run it back — they wanted to heal old wounds and give Dame the send-off his Hall-of-Fame career deserves.
This is an interesting union of sorts. Portland traded Lillard for Holiday, Toumani Camara, assets in 2023 – then Holiday to Boston for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, assets (one led to Deni Avdija).
Now, Blazers have Lillard and Holiday, plus Avdija, Williams, Camara, a 2029 first, two swaps from Milwaukee.
This is Portland’s chance to do right by its greatest star. The city has always loved Damian Lillard. Now, they get to prove it once again — and so does he.
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