Damian Lillard is headed back to Portland.
Just two years after a blockbuster deal that made him teammates with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, Lillard reportedly is set to be a Trail Blazer again, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday.
The reported pact between Lillard and Portland is for three years and $42 million.
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 nine-time All-Star will have a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause as part of the deal, Charania added.
Lillard then made an announcement on social media following the reports.
Lillard had been waived by the Bucks earlier in the offseason following a torn Achilles suffered in the first round of the playoffs. He had two years and $113 million left on his contract, which the Bucks stretched out over the next five years in order to create cap space. That allowed the team to bring in center Myles Turner after losing Brook Lopez.
Charania added that Lillard and the Blazers both “deeply cared” about the comeback in recent weeks, with multiple meetings held to proceed on a deal.
Lillard reportedly also had multiple mid-level exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders. The Athletic had reported in early July that the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers all made calls.
The 34-year-old Weber State product will most likely be out all of 2025-26 to recover from his Achilles tear.
In 2023, Portland traded Lillard to Milwaukee for Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara, among other assets, before flipping Holiday to Boston for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and other assets. On June 23, Portland re-acquired Holiday from Boston for Anfernee Simons and now have two star veteran guards.
Portland is still a rebuilding team and will hope Lillard can return to form after averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists on a 44.8/37.6/92.1 shooting split this past season.
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