BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard has officially agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources speaking to ESPN earlier today. This urgent update marks a significant comeback for Lillard, who is set to include a player option for the 2027-28 season and a no-trade clause in his new contract.
The negotiations have been intense, with multiple meetings held between Lillard, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin, and head coach Chauncey Billups over recent weeks. Both Lillard and the franchise have expressed a strong commitment to moving forward together. This development unfolds just weeks after Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, who had stretched the remaining $113 million of his contract to make room for free agent center Myles Turner.
For the upcoming 2025-26 season, Lillard is projected to have a combined salary of $70 million from his Blazers and Bucks agreements. His total earnings over the next two years will reach $141 million, leading up to his opt-out opportunity in 2027. Sources indicate that Lillard is finalizing the terms alongside Blazers officials and agent Aaron Goodwin this week.
Lillard is currently rehabilitating from an Achilles injury, which he sustained in April during Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Following surgery in May, his return to Portland, where his family resides, has been a top priority. Despite receiving multiple offers from NBA contenders, Lillard’s heart remains with the Blazers.
This move is particularly notable given Lillard’s history with the Blazers, where he spent 11 seasons and earned seven All-Star and All-NBA selections. He led the franchise to eight playoff appearances and ranks first all-time in points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387), while being second in assists (5,151). His legacy includes an impressive seven games scoring 55 points or more, a record unmatched in the franchise’s history.
As the Blazers prepare for the upcoming season, Lillard’s return reshapes their roster dynamics. They recently reacquired Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics in a trade that involved significant assets, including a first-round pick in 2029 and two pick swaps with the Bucks. The Blazers now boast a formidable lineup that features Lillard, Holiday, Deni Avdija, Robert Williams III, and Toumani Camara.
With Lillard back in Portland, fans eagerly await what this new chapter will bring to the franchise. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.