It all sank in for Damian Lillard as he drove home with his kids after signing his new deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
He was home again.
Over the weekend, the 35-year-old guard signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Blazers, which includes a no-trade clause and the option to leave after two seasons. His three children, Damian Jr. (7) and four-year-old twins Kalii and Kali, were with him for the signing.
“Knowing I will be back with my kids, my whole family, all my friends here in Portland, it all matters. I did not think it would happen this soon,” Lillard said.
A nine-time All-Star, Lillard spent 11 seasons with Portland before requesting a trade to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023. Famous for his “Dame Time” celebrations, he remains a fan favourite.
However, fans will need to wait to see him on the court. Lillard tore his left Achilles in April during a playoff clash with the Indiana Pacers, and surgery will likely sideline him for the entire 2025 to 2026 season. The Bucks waived him earlier this month, spreading his $113 million salary over five years.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups joked, “He is going to be the highest-paid assistant coach in NBA history because I will keep him busy every day.”
Lillard has not ruled out returning late next season, but general manager Joe Cronin confirmed the team will not rush him back.
“Pride says one thing, but age brings wisdom,” Lillard said. “I will take all the time I need to be right.”
Despite being limited to 58 games last season due to deep vein thrombosis, Lillard still ranked 10th in the NBA for scoring (24.9 points) and assists (7.1). The season before, he averaged a career-best 32.2 points and dropped 71 against the Houston Rockets, becoming only the seventh player in league history to score 70 or more in a game.
Lillard, the No. 6 pick in the 2012 draft, holds multiple Blazers records, including career points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387). He is also a Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
For his kids, the homecoming felt real when he explained it mid-drive.
“I stopped at a red robot and told my daughter we are back for good. She said, ‘Wait, so we do not have to fly to Milwaukee anymore?’”
Photo: Amanda Loman/Getty Images
