Report: Damian Lillard Returning To Trail Blazers
Jul 17, 2025, 3:51 PM | Updated: Jul 18, 2025, 9:17 am
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves downcourt during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Weber State guard and nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard plans to return to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Bill Oram of the Oregonian first reported that the two sides were close to an agreement, while ESPN’s Shams Charania reported details of the signing.
“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,” Charania wrote on social media. “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.”
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
Damian Lillard Returning To Portland On Three-Year Deal
Lillard returns to Portland on a three-year contract, despite the expectation that he will miss the entire 2025-26 season.
The 35-year-old suffered a torn Achilles in the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round playoff exit in April and will likely need a full year to rehab the injury.
Related: Lillard Suffers Torn Achilles Against Pacers
“Lillard now will have a 2025-26 set salary of $70M between his Portland and Milwaukee deals, and a salary of $141M over the next two years ahead of an opt-out in 2027,” Charania added.
One year ago, Damian Lillard hit this epic game-winning DAGGER to send the Thunder home 😤 pic.twitter.com/iZhhfeeEMO
— ESPN (@espn) April 23, 2020
After undergoing surgery, the Bucks made the shocking move to waive and stretch Lillard’s contract, buying the All-Star guard out of his $113 million deal, and spreading his money across their salary cap for the next five seasons.
The guard averaged 24.6 points and 7.0 assists over two All-Star seasons in Milwaukee, but never elevated the Bucks to championship contention during his tenure alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Lillard now returns to Portland to rejoin the Trail Blazers, where he spent the first 11 years of his career, earning seven All-Star nods while being named to seven All-NBA teams.
According to Charania, Lillard chose the Trail Blazers over several other suitors to relaunch his NBA career.
“Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate a torn Achilles tendon, but a return to the franchise and Portland where his family and kids reside were of the ultimate importance,” the NBA insider reported. “He also had multiple mid-level exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders.”
The guard was the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers, and was recognized as 75 best players in league history in 2022.
Portland traded the guard to the Bucks in 2023 in a blockbuster three-team deal that included the Phoenix Suns.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
