Photo: Getty Images
Free agent point guard Damian Lillard is reportedly finalizing a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, his team for the first 11 years of his 13-year NBA career, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Lillard, 35, the Blazers' all-time leading scorer, was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 and spent the past two seasons with the franchise before being waived earlier this month.
"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," Charania wrote. "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. Blazers officials and Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management are finalizing terms this week."
Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during the Bucks' Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Turner's former team, while attempting to keep an offensive rebound alive before falling onto the court without contact. The nine-time All-Star stayed on the ground during the Pacers' offensive possession and appeared to grab his left foot before sitting with his elbows on his knees prior to play being stopped.
Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds during the 2024-25 regular-season, as well as 7.0 points, and 4.7 assists in three postseason games.