Trail Blazers grant Damian Lillard his wish sooner than expected

Damian Lillard's return to the Portland Trail Blazers was anticipated, as he previously indicated in January 2024 that a reunion could occur, though not immediately due to his commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks at that time. The author initially expected this return to resemble Dwyane Wade's late-career farewell tour with Miami rather than happening so soon.

Despite Lillard's two-season absence in Milwaukee, parallels exist with Wade's situation—many Trail Blazers fans still consider him a franchise lifer. Portland struggled significantly without Lillard, winning only 57 games total and lacking star power to compete effectively in the Western Conference during his absence.

Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million deal but will likely sit out until the 2026-27 season, taking a gap year to recover fully from an Achilles injury. His return has already boosted franchise excitement and raised expectations, creating urgency for Portland to maximize this short competitive window.

While concerns exist about his recovery from a major injury at age 35, Lillard maintains a determined mindset, emphasizing he won't lose the "mental battle" of rehabilitation. Financially, he will earn approximately $70 million during his rehab season through combined salaries from Milwaukee and Portland.

Family proximity in Portland was a priority, aligning with Lillard's reputation for loyalty. However, he stresses this was also a basketball decision: upon returning, he joins a roster built partly with assets acquired from trading him, positioning the Trail Blazers as playoff contenders.