Damian Lillard says he 'couldn't be happier' back in Portland
Blazers guard Damian Lillard is back where his NBA career began, and from the sounds of things, he couldn’t be more thrilled.
hoopswire.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting up to mid-2025, but I don’t have real-time access right now.
- Damian Lillard reportedly returned to the Portland Trail Blazers in mid-2025 on a multi-year deal, after spending the prior seasons with Milwaukee; reports described a three-year arrangement with terms around $42–45 million, including a player option in the final year and a no-trade clause .
- The plan was for Lillard to step back and rehab from an Achilles injury while transitioning back into the Blazers’ lineup, with expectations he would take the court in Portland in the 2025–26 or 2026–27 window depending on his rehab timeline .
- Upon his return, Lillard emphasized his affection for the Portland community and his desire to contribute to the team’s rebuilding effort alongside a young core, including Scoot Henderson, as he rejoined familiar surroundings in Rip City .
Notes on reliability and recency:
- The most concrete, contemporary summaries came from outlets like NBC Sports, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and CBSSports reporting on the deal terms and the homecoming narrative in July 2025, with follow-ups in August–September 2025 about his status and role with a young Blazers roster .
- ESPN’s and NBA.com’s coverage continued into late 2025, discussing next steps for Lillard and the team’s trajectory, including questions about his health, role, and fit with the retooled roster .
Would you like me to pull the very latest updates from current sources and summarize any new developments (e.g., current status, contract specifics, injury updates, and expected return timeline)? If you want, I can search for the latest articles and provide a concise, cited update.