The uncertainty surrounding Damian Lillard’s future appears to be over. According to reports, the nine-time NBA All-Star is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2025-26 season. However, fans will have to wait to see Lillard on the field as he will use the upcoming season to recovery from a torn left Achilles tendon he suffered playing with the Bucks.
“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,” reported Shams Charania via X (formerly Twitter).
Lillard’s return marks a new chapter for Portland as the franchise looks to rebuild around a revamped roster. With the addition of veteran guard Jrue Holiday and the departures of Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton, the Trail Blazers are expected to field a retooled starting lineup that blends experience with promising young talent.
This is the projected Trail Blazers starting lineup once Lillard is fully healthy—assuming no changes to the current roster: Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.
However, Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Indiana Pacers. Charania reported that Lillard will miss the upcoming season to rehabilitate his injury.
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With Lillard expected to make a full recovery, the Trail Blazers are aiming to return to the Western Conference Finals—a stage they last reached in 2019 before falling to the Golden State Warriors.
Lillard’s homecoming sets the stage for a promising backcourt-forward duo alongside Deni Avdija, who is coming off a breakout season in which he posted career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
After the Bucks waived Lillard to make room for the signing of Myles Turner, several teams quickly expressed interest in the nine-time All-Star. While rumors linked him to the Boston Celtics—largely due to his strong relationship with Jayson Tatum—Lillard ultimately chose to return to Portland, where his family and children reside, to focus on his recovery from injury.
