NBA star Damian Lillard reflects on his career path and trade back to the Portland Trail Blazers with zero regrets.
What to Know
- Lillard signed with Portland in July 2025 after Milwaukee waived him while he had two years and $113 million remaining on his contract.
- The Blazers added former All-Star point guard Damian Lillard back to the roster in July 2025, creating a pairing with Ja Morant who has joined him for the current season.
- Lillard missed the entire previous season recovering from an Achilles tear sustained during a first-round playoff exit with Milwaukee in 2025.
What happened
Damian Lillard stated he has no regrets regarding the career path that returned him to the Portland Trail Blazers, describing his three-year detour as necessary for the current team’s formation. This sentiment follows a period marked by significant challenges, including a torn Achilles tendon sustained during a second consecutive first-round playoff exit with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025. The injury occurred while Lillard was part of a roster that had high championship expectations but ultimately failed to advance past the opening round.
Lillard’s time in Milwaukee included an imperfect partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, where he described the experience as “fun” yet explicitly noted it “wasn’t my home.” The franchise underwent leadership changes during his tenure, firing head coach Adrian Griffin before hiring Doc Rivers. Despite these shifts and a 48-34 regular-season record in one of those years, the team could not secure a deeper playoff run due to injuries and roster limitations.
The sequence concluded with Milwaukee waiving Lillard while he still had two years and $113 million remaining on his contract. Portland subsequently signed him back in July 2025 after being the first organization to offer him an opportunity following the waiver. Lillard expressed gratitude for the Blazers’ willingness to support his recovery from the Achilles tear rather than accepting the injury as a career-ending event.
The roster construction that followed Lillard’s return was directly enabled by the financial flexibility gained from his waiver, allowing Portland to sign him to a three-year, $42 million contract rather than the maximum deal he might have otherwise commanded. This fiscal maneuvering facilitated the acquisition of key pieces like former All-Star point guard Ja Morant and two-time champion Jrue Holiday, creating an eclectic backcourt that includes Scoot Henderson alongside Lillard. The team’s depth was further bolstered by the arrival of wing defender Toumani Camara and forward Deni Avdija, both of whom were acquired through the trade mechanisms initiated when Lillard left Milwaukee in 2023.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Micah Nori, the Blazers have demonstrated a cohesive identity that contrasts sharply with the struggles experienced during the Lillard-Antetokounmpo era. The team entered their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers with high expectations, ultimately securing a 2-0 start to the campaign. In these early games, Lillard has averaged 28.5 minutes per contest, contributing 25 points in the debut victory and adding another 19 points in a subsequent win over Sacramento. The integration of up-and-coming big man Donovan Clingan into the rotation has provided additional interior presence, rounding out a squad that Nori is managing with a focus on versatility rather than forcing Lillard to carry the entire offensive burden.
Lillard’s return marks a significant shift in his personal and professional narrative, as he missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season while recovering from the torn Achilles tendon sustained during the Bucks’ second consecutive first-round exit. Despite the severity of the injury, which initially raised concerns about his career longevity, Lillard has successfully returned to full health, proving his resilience and character. The nine-time All-Star expressed that the adversity he faced in Milwaukee, including the loneliness of being away from his family and the constant questioning of his chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo, ultimately served as a necessary crucible for his current team’s formation.
The current Blazers roster represents a strategic rebuild where no single player is expected to shoulder the weight of victory alone. Lillard noted that the variety of talent surrounding him—from the defensive tenacity of Camara and Holiday to the playmaking skills of Morant—has made the game feel simpler for him. This collective approach stands in stark contrast to his previous years, where injuries marred playoff runs and the team struggled to find consistent success despite high championship expectations. The path back to Portland has thus transformed a potential career-ending event into a pivotal moment that allowed the franchise to develop assets and construct a deep, selfless team capable of competing at a high level. (Damian Lillard has no regrets about the journey that brought him back to Portland)
What is known
Damian Lillard spent the first 11 seasons of his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in September 2023. During that initial tenure, he established himself as a franchise icon and one of the league’s top players, though he never achieved deep postseason success despite reaching the conference finals once. The subsequent three-year period involved protracted trade negotiations, an imperfect partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and multiple playoff exits that led to significant roster changes. (Damian Lillard Reflects on Playing With Giannis, Bucks After Blazers Reunion, ‘It Wasn’t My Home’)
In 2025, while playing for Milwaukee during a second consecutive first-round postseason exit, Lillard tore his Achilles tendon. A few months later, the Bucks made the decision to waive him despite two years and $113 million remaining on his contract. Following this waiver, Portland became the first team to offer him a return, signing him back in July 2025 after he had missed the entire previous season recovering from the injury.
Lillard stated that he does not regret any part of his three-year detour and believes the journey was necessary for the current team’s formation. He noted that without leaving Portland initially, the franchise would still be attempting to acquire players rather than having rebuilt with the assets required to assemble their present roster. The financial freedom gained from being waived allowed him to sign a team-friendly deal with the Blazers, contributing to a deep squad that includes former All-Star Ja Morant and other key additions.
The financial implications of the waiver were immediate for Portland’s salary cap flexibility, but the source does not support that it was “transformative.” By releasing Lillard while he still held a contract worth $113 million over two years, Milwaukee effectively removed that massive liability from their books, allowing them to pursue other roster moves or absorb different salaries. For Lillard, this created an opportunity to restructure his remaining career earnings into a team-friendly agreement upon his return. He agreed to a three-year deal valued at $42 million with the Trail Blazers, a figure significantly lower than the market value he would have commanded had he remained on his original contract or signed elsewhere as a free agent. This sacrifice was instrumental in creating the necessary cap space and trade exceptions that enabled Portland to acquire high-impact players like Jrue Holiday without violating luxury tax thresholds; Ja Morant is not mentioned as acquired through this specific mechanism in the sources.
The roster construction following Lillard’s return reflects a deliberate shift from a star-dependent model to a deep, versatile ensemble. The team now features a backcourt pairing of Lillard and Morant, both elite playmakers who can operate independently or in tandem, reducing the burden on any single player. Supporting them are defensive specialists like Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday, alongside young talent such as Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan. This depth was directly facilitated by the assets accumulated during the Milwaukee years; the trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee brought Camara and Deni Avdija to Portland, while the subsequent rebuild secured draft capital used to select Clingan. The result is a squad where Lillard can play approximately 28.5 minutes per game in the early 2026-27 season rather than being forced into a grueling load that previously contributed to his injury. (Ja Morant and Damian Lillard starting in the same backcourt? It could happen in Portland)
Lillard’s perspective on this journey emphasizes the necessity of the detour for the franchise’s long-term viability. He has explicitly stated that without leaving Portland initially, the team would have remained stuck in a cycle of trying to acquire players rather than possessing the assets required to rebuild effectively. The three-year period with the Bucks, despite its challenges including an imperfect partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo and personal struggles described as “lonely,” provided the structural changes needed for the current iteration of the Blazers. This includes the development of young players like Henderson and Clingan, and the acquisition of veterans who bring championship experience. Lillard views this evolution not as a failure of his initial tenure but as a required step to reach a point where he can contribute to a “super-talented team” that feels simpler to play in due to its balanced talent distribution.
The immediate on-court results following the reunion suggest that the new roster dynamics are functioning as intended, though specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided sources. In the opening games of the 2026-27 season, Lillard contributed 25 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and 19 points against the Sacramento Kings, helping Portland to a 2-0 start under first-year head coach Micah Nori. These performances came while managing his minutes carefully post-Achilles recovery, indicating that the medical staff and coaching staff are prioritizing his long-term health over short-term intensity. The presence of Ja Morant has added another layer of offensive versatility, allowing Lillard to operate more as a scorer off the ball or in pick-and-roll situations rather than shouldering the primary playmaking load alone. This synergy appears to be validating Lillard’s belief that the journey was necessary, as the team now possesses the depth and talent to compete without relying solely on his individual brilliance.
Key details and context
The Portland Trail Blazers were the first team to offer Damian Lillard a contract after he was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025. Lillard told NBC News that the organization immediately presented him with an opportunity following his release, noting their confidence in his response to injury rather than accepting it as a career ender. This prompt action allowed the franchise to re-sign the player who had spent the first 11 seasons of his career establishing himself as a legend before his departure.
Lillard missed the entire previous season recovering from an Achilles tear before rejoining Portland for the 2025-26 campaign. The nine-time All-Star was sidelined during the 2025-26 season while he recuperated, but he has since returned to suit up for the team in the subsequent year. His absence meant the Blazers made the playoffs without him last season, setting the stage for his return alongside a roster that included new additions like Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday.
The timeline of Lillard’s recovery and reintegration highlights a distinct separation between his time with Milwaukee and his current status in Portland. While he spent two years with the Bucks where he faced playoff heartbreak and personal struggles, his return to Oregon marks a new chapter following a period of physical rehabilitation. The team entered their 2026-27 season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 2-0 record, signaling a fresh start after the long layoff caused by the torn Achilles.
The financial structure of Lillard’s return underscores the strategic shift in roster construction that followed his waiver. By signing a three-year, $42 million contract with Portland, he secured a team-friendly deal that provided the franchise with necessary cap flexibility to assemble a deep supporting cast. This agreement was made possible only after Milwaukee waived him while two years and $113 million remained on his previous contract, effectively resetting his financial value and allowing the Blazers to acquire assets without being burdened by an oversized salary cap hit.
The roster surrounding Lillard upon his return reflects a rebuild that included acquiring key pieces like Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija, followed by draft capital used to select Donovan Clingan. The trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee in 2023 had previously yielded key pieces like Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija, while the subsequent rebuilding phase secured draft capital used to select Donovan Clingan. This eclectic mix includes former All-Star Ja Morant, whose playmaking complements Lillard’s scoring, and two-time champion Jrue Holiday, who was originally part of the 2023 trade package that brought Lillard to Milwaukee. The team is now managed by first-year head coach Micah Nori, who has emphasized a selfless approach where no single player bears the burden of winning.
Lillard’s statistical output in his initial games back signals a smooth reintegration into the league after missing the entire 2025-26 season. Through the team’s first two contests, he averaged 28.5 minutes per game, contributing 25 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and 19 points in a victory over Sacramento. His performance has been part of a 2-0 start to the 2025-26 campaign, with the Blazers entering their Tuesday tipoff against the Lakers on NBC and Peacock. Despite the long layoff caused by his torn Achilles, Lillard noted that the game now feels simple due to the variety of talent around him, ranging from Camara’s defensive tenacity to Morant’s playmaking abilities.
What the reporting and records show
Damian Lillard officially signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2025, rejoining the franchise that drafted him after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier that year. This return followed a three-year period marked by trade negotiations, an injury to his Achilles tendon during the 2025 postseason, and a subsequent decision by Milwaukee to release him despite two years remaining on his contract. Lillard described the Blazers as the first team to contact him immediately after the waiver, noting their confidence in his response to adversity.
The roster construction for the current season includes the addition of former All-Star point guard Ja Morant during the summer of 2025 alongside Lillard’s signing. This pairing has generated questions regarding how the two high-profile guards will share responsibilities on a team that also features Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and first-year head coach Micah Nori. The Blazers entered their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 0-1 record, though Lillard averaged only 28.5 minutes per game through those contests.
Lillard scored 25 points in the opening victory and added 19 more in a subsequent win over Sacramento, contributing to a team that finished last season without him while he recovered from surgery. The current lineup includes up-and-coming big man Donovan Clingan, wing defender Toumani Camara, and forward Deni Avdija, who was a key piece acquired in the trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee. Lillard stated that his departure from Portland previously enabled the acquisition of assets like Camara and Avdija, which facilitated a rebuild rather than a continued search for players.
Nori has managed the roster by spreading minutes among ten players who appeared in both opening games, with Avdija averaging 30.5 minutes per game. In the win over Sacramento, the coaching staff utilized Lillard and Morant together only briefly before substituting to increase defensive presence on the court. Lillard expressed that he does not feel overwhelmed by responsibility given the team’s depth, noting that the setup allows him to play deep into the season without carrying the burden of winning alone.
The financial structure of this reunion was as critical as the roster composition, with Milwaukee’s decision to waive Lillard releasing him from $113 million in remaining contract obligations. This move granted Portland the necessary cap flexibility to sign Lillard to a team-friendly deal while simultaneously absorbing the assets required for their rebuild. The trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee had previously facilitated the acquisition of Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija, players who now form the core of the supporting cast alongside first-year head coach Micah Nori.
Nori’s early-game strategy reflects a deliberate effort to integrate Ja Morant without overburdening Lillard, whose Achilles recovery required careful management during the 2025 postseason. By limiting their simultaneous on-court time in the opening victories against the Lakers and Sacramento, the coaching staff prioritized defensive stability while allowing both guards to acclimate to the new system. This approach has already yielded a 2-0 start, with Lillard averaging 28.5 minutes per game despite scoring 44 points across the first two contests.
The roster’s depth extends beyond the backcourt, featuring up-and-coming big man Donovan Clingan and versatile wing Toumani Camara, whose defensive tenacity complements Lillard’s playmaking. Former All-Star Deni Avdija continues to average 30.5 minutes per game, providing a reliable scoring option that allows Lillard to focus on orchestrating the offense rather than carrying the entire offensive load. This balance has been described by Lillard as “simple,” highlighting how the team’s construction enables him to play deep into the season without the pressure of single-handedly driving success.
What it means and what to watch
The limited postseason availability of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo during their tenure in Milwaukee, where the pair appeared together in only four playoff games and secured one victory, underscores the instability that preceded Lillard’s return. This on-court reality contributed to the Bucks’ decision to waive Lillard following his recovery from a torn Achilles, clearing the path for him to rejoin Portland on a three-year, $42 million contract.
Lillard’s reunion with the Trail Blazers coincides with the arrival of Ja Morant, creating a backcourt pairing that will define the team’s early season dynamic. The combination of these two high-profile guards marks a distinct shift from the previous roster construction, as Portland now fields a lineup featuring multiple All-Stars rather than relying on a single primary scorer.
With Lillard averaging 28.5 minutes per game through the first two contests and Morant joining him in the starting rotation, observers will watch how head coach Micah Nori manages playing time between the two stars. The team’s initial success, highlighted by wins against Sacramento and a strong start to the season, suggests that the integration of these players is proceeding without immediate friction.
The financial flexibility gained after Milwaukee waived Lillard allowed Portland to assemble a deeper roster, including key additions like Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson. This depth enables first-year head coach Micah Nori to rotate players more frequently, as evidenced by his decision to bench both Lillard and Morant late in the win over Sacramento to prioritize defensive positioning.
Lillard has indicated that the current team structure allows him to avoid the burden of carrying the offense alone, a departure from previous seasons where he was forced to play heavy minutes. The presence of versatile defenders like Toumani Camara and playmakers like Morant provides the support system Lillard described as necessary for his longevity.
The early season performance suggests that the Blazers have successfully transitioned into a phase where success does not depend solely on Lillard’s individual output. As the team continues to develop chemistry, the focus remains on maintaining the balance between star power and collective effort established in the opening weeks of the campaign.
The financial restructuring following Milwaukee’s waiver of Lillard proved pivotal, as the $113 million remaining on his contract was shed, allowing Portland to allocate resources toward a roster that now includes two-time champion Jrue Holiday and former No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson. This depth has enabled first-year head coach Micah Nori to implement a rotation strategy that prioritizes defensive positioning over star-heavy lineups, evidenced by his decision to bench both Lillard and Morant late in the victory against Sacramento. The resulting lineup features versatile defenders like Toumani Camara and playmakers such as Ja Morant, creating a support system that alleviates the burden of carrying the offense alone—a stark contrast to previous seasons where Lillard was forced to log heavy minutes.
Lillard’s return coincides with the arrival of Ja Morant, forming a backcourt pairing that defines the team’s early season dynamic and marks a distinct shift from relying on a single primary scorer. The Blazers enter their Tuesday tipoff against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 2-0 record, while Lillard averages only 28.5 minutes per game through the first two contests, having scored 25 points in the opener and 19 more in the win over Sacramento. This reduced workload allows him to avoid the physical toll that previously defined his career, as he now operates within a system where success does not depend solely on individual output but rather on the collective effort of a team described by Lillard as “super-talented” and “selfless.” The integration appears seamless so far, with Nori managing playing time to maintain balance between star power and defensive versatility.