After an NBA offseason filled with rumors culminating in a trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, former Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is open to a return to the franchise that drafted him:
The Bucks might not be his final team. Lillard’s contract runs through the 2026-27 season. Could Lillard return to Portland before his career is over? “I see there being a time where I play for the Trail Blazers,” he said. “But it won’t be right now. I play for the Bucks. To accomplish what we want to accomplish, you’ve got to be all in on that. And I was traded and I’m all in to try to accomplish that here.”
Lillard, who had played for the Trail Blazers for 11 seasons, requested a trade over the summer. Though reports and rumors suggested he would likely end up with the Miami Heat, the All-NBA guard became a member of the Bucks.
During his time in Portland, Lillard was a seven-time All-NBA selection, a seven-time NBA All-Star, and won the Rookie of the Year award in 2013. In 11 seasons as a Trail Blazer, Lillard averaged 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game. Lillard started all 769 games he played in while with the franchise.
This season, with the 32-15 Bucks, Lillard is averaging 25.1 points and 6.8 assists. Lillard was also recently named a 2024 NBA All-Star starter.
As for Portland, in their first season without Lillard since the 2011-12 season, they are 14-33. This is the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
Lillard will make his return to Portland tomorrow night as his Bucks take on the Trail Blazers. His return to Portland is something “Dame Dolla” is looking forward to:
Portland is where his family resides. It’s where his heart remains. For those reasons, Damian Lillard expects a tapestry of emotions to surge through him when he walks onto the Moda Center court on Wednesday. “I think it’ll always be like any emotional thing just because I loved living and playing in Portland,” Lillard said after the team’s Monday shootaround.
NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard Open to Portland Trail Blazers Return
Could Lillard Actually Return to Portland?
Lillard and the Trail Blazers only made it past the second round of the playoffs one time during the guard’s 11-year tenure. Additionally, the team missed the playoffs completely in the last two seasons. For Lillard, it was clear a change of scenery would be best for both sides. However, with all the rumors and reports regarding his possible destination, it is easy to forget that Lillard attempted to rescind his trade request:
Lillard then said if a deal couldn’t be worked out with the Heat, he would prefer to rescind his trade request and return to the Trail Blazers.
Cronin’s response to the seven-time All-Star was that there was no coming back.
Lillard was shocked, sources said. He said it was discouraging to hear he couldn’t return, but added that he didn’t want to be somewhere he wasn’t wanted, and he ended the meeting.
It could be assumed this was just for leverage purposes. However, Lillard has expressed his love for the city of Portland in the past. The thought of him going back at some point is not as far-fetched as it seems.
The 33-year-old is under contract through 2027. Depending on what happens during his time in Milwaukee, returning to Portland may be an intriguing idea for the guard.
