Damian Lillard will return home after the Milwaukee Bucks’ shocking decision to waive him this summer.
The Bucks stunned the NBA by signing former rival big man Myles Turner. In the process of creating cap space for Turner, Milwaukee waived and stretched the remaining $113 million on Lillard’s contract over the next five years.
Now, the superstar will return to the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The deal is expected to include a no-trade clause and a player option for the 2027-28 campaign.
The nine-time All-Star was traded to Milwaukee in September 2023, where he looked to get a fresh start and compete for a title alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
MORE: Bucks officially sign ex-Grizzlies point guard to one-year deal
However, Lillard’s time in Milwaukee resulted in two first-round postseason losses. Moreover, he suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in the 2025 playoffs and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign.
The veteran point guard will now be able to recover in the city where he spent the first 11 seasons of his legendary career. While speculation grew that several contending teams held interest in Lillard, he ultimately decided to return to Portland.
Lillard will serve as a veteran leader in the Trail Blazers’ young backcourt group, which includes Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. He’s also set to join forces with Jrue Holiday, whom the Bucks dealt to Portland in the trade for Lillard. Holiday was rerouted to Boston, but the Celtics traded him back to Portland this summer.
If the Trail Blazers manage to make the postseason for the first time since 2020-21 this season, Lillard could return in time for the playoffs.
During his two-year stint with Milwaukee, the 35-year-old averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.1 steals across 35.7 minutes per game.
MORE NBA NEWS:
