Damian Lillard never imagined his return to Portland would happen so quickly.
Yet, after signing a three-year, $42 million contract with the team that drafted him, the 35-year-old guard finds himself back home—both physically and emotionally.
“Just knowing that I’m going to be back home for all parts of my life—playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets I’ve driven on for most of my adult life, with my family around me,” Lillard reflected in his press conference on Tuesday (PH time), July 22.
“All of those things count. I wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon,” he added.
Lillard’s homecoming came after a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent the last two seasons trying to win a championship alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, that partnership was short-lived, with the Bucks eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back years and with Lillard's last season with the team ended prematurely due to an Achilles injury.
[ALSO READ: LIST: Haliburton, Tatum, Lillard, more who suffered Achilles injuries in 2024–25 NBA season]
That played a role in Milwaukee’s decision to waive Lillard and stretch his remaining contract, allowing them to sign big man Myles Turner.
[ALSO READ: Coach Doc Rivers speaks on Bucks waiving Damian Lillard, adding Myles Turner]
As a result, Lillard found himself with the opportunity to return to Portland, the city where he built his legendary career.
“I’m just excited. I’m really thankful for the opportunity to come back, even with me being hurt,” Lillard shared.
“It’s not just about playing for the Blazers again, but being back in this community I’m most familiar with. It all just feels right,” he added.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 22, 2025
It was a decision he didn’t require much thought for.
“When I have to make a decision, I think a lot about it, but this was not a hard decision,” Lillard explained. “The familiarity of Portland—its people, its streets, and the memories I’ve built here—made it an easy choice.”
His time with the Trail Blazers is nothing short of historic. In his 11 seasons with the franchise, he became the team’s all-time leader in points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387).
Lillard also earned nine All-Star selections and solidified his place as one of the best point guards in league history.
However, Portlands’ playoff results didn’t always match Lillard’s individual success, as they won just four playoff series, with the team reaching the Western Conference Finals only once.
During his final season in Portland, Lillard averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game and became just the seventh player in league history to score more than 70 points in a game, finishing with 71 against the Houston Rockets.
Two years later, he returns as a much-needed veteran presence, ready to team up with two-time champion Jrue Holiday alongside a promising young core of players that include Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Deni Avdija among others.
“I told him that this year he’s going to be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history because I’ll be putting in the work every day,” head coach Chauncey Billups spoke about Lillard’s leadership role both on and off the court.
This year he's gonna be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history. Imma be putting him to work everyday." 🤣
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2025
Chauncey Billups on Damian Lillard
(via @trailblazers) pic.twitter.com/qR3zSjrV4Z
