With Deni Avdija‘s rise to stardom for the Portland Trail Blazers, some people might see him as the top guy next season. That will not be the case, as Damian Lillard‘s impact will be felt immediately. He is the Blazers’ superstar until further notice, given his skill set and reputation.
Damian Lillard Looks Ready To Be the Blazers’ Superstar Again
When Lillard last played during the 2024-25 season, he was still an elite point guard. He was Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s second option on the Milwaukee Bucks, but he was still averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game.
As he recovered from a torn Achilles this past season, Lillard assumed a hybrid role of being an inactive player and a pseudo assistant coach. In that time, he has become more familiar with his teammates, which is good for his return in the coming campaign.
Lillard Is Familiar With Being the Blazers’ Superstar
Lillard last played for the Blazers in the 2023. It was arguably the best season of his career, as he averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. He was such a good player at that time, but the Blazers could not surround him with enough talent to compete in the Western Conference.
His hand was forced, so he ended up requesting a trade. This led to him joining the Bucks, where he played for two seasons. Now, Lillard has returned to Portland, and he looks ready to be the Blazers’ superstar again after a year of being a cheerleader on the bench.
Bobby Portis spent the last 10 days working out with his friend Damian Lillard 🤝
BP says Dame looks good 👀
"Everybody knows who he is, but he will definitely reintroduce himself to the world." 🔥@BPortistime | @MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/GNNE2Ef3LC
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 11, 2026
He has been fairly busy with his offseason workouts, including some with former teammate Bobby Portis. It may be a bit of an adjustment because the Blazers have changed since his first stint. The only players remaining from the old lineup are Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant. If Matisse Thybulle re-signs, he is part of that group as well.
Despite the turnover, Lillard should still be familiar with the newer Blazers, having been present with them throughout the season while rehabbing from his injury.
Lillard’s Impact Could Take the Blazers to New Heights
Apart from being a leader, Lillard will be a monumental addition for the Blazers on the court. He is one of the league’s best shooters, and while his efficiency from beyond the arc is not in the 40% range, he takes a lot of them while still being efficient — boasting a career average of 37.1% on 8.4 attempts per game.
That could bode well for the Blazers because they lacked perimeter shooting. At the same time, Lillard is a skilled playmaker from all over the floor. He and Blazers building block Donovan Clingan could be a match made in heaven, which can already be seen with their offseason workouts together.
Dame and Clingan getting some offseason work in together 👀🔥
Cannot wait to watch this duo! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tDLFOH4L1d
— ᴛʏʟᴇʀ (@blazersforreal) June 2, 2026
With his expertise as a pick-and-roll savant, Lillard’s impact can be second to none. Of course, people will still look at Avdija to be an All-Star, but he will have another star alongside him. Lillard’s leadership, playmaking and scoring are all elite traits that make Portland scarier to play against.
The rest of the team will also benefit because Lillard will be at the top of the scouting report. He might be 36 when next season starts, but he is hungry to make an impact. There should be some leeway with his recovery from the torn Achilles, but he is a competitive player who will want to contribute immediately.
Avdija’s Rise Makes the Blazers More Dangerous
While Lillard might be the biggest name on the Blazers, Avdija still matters, too. He was stellar in the 2025-26 season, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists en route to the first All-Star nod of his career. With his aggressive drives into the paint, Lillard already has a dynamic teammate. They could be a strong duo, especially since Avdija is such a malleable player.
Moving forward, the Blazers will need both of their stars to step up. However, Lillard will still be the top guy not only for his skills, but also for his reputation as the Portland mainstay over the years.
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
