The ‘prodigal son’ has returned to Portland.
Veteran guard Damian Lillard is reuniting with Trail Blazers, the team where he spent his first 11 seasons, on a three-year, $42 million deal according to senior NBA insider Shams Charania.
The deal also includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and a no-trade clause, per Charania.
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 confirmed the development on X, formerly as Twitter, posting a video from the Portland locker room showing his name and number, with the words "Together Again."
RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! @trailblazers p
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 17, 2025
Earlier this month, the Milwaukee Bucks waived the 35-year-old and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract for five years to sign big man Myles Turner.
[ALSO READ: Coach Doc Rivers speaks on Bucks waiving Damian Lillard, adding Myles Turner]
Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon in late April during Game 4 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and underwent surgery in early May.
[ALSO READ: Bucks’ Damian Lillard suffers season-ending torn Achilles injury]
This injury came after he had sustained deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, which caused him to miss the final 17 regular-season games for Milwaukee.
The nine-time All-Star will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate the injury. When healthy, Lillard continued to perform at his usual high level, averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.
Portland selected Lillard sixth overall 13 years ago. In his first 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, Lillard earned seven All-Star selections and seven All-NBA honors and led Portland to the playoffs eight times, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019.
The 35-year-old holds the franchise record for points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387) and ranks second in assists (5,151).
Lillard also set the Blazers’ record for most 55-point games, with seven—an achievement no other player in franchise history has matched.
Portland finished last season with a 36-46 record. Although the team missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, it won 22 of its final 40 games, offering hope for future success next season.
