Damian Lillard has marked his return to the Portland Trail Blazers, expressing that it 'never felt right' being away from the franchise. At an introductory press conference, Lillard discussed his agreement to return on a three-year, $42 million deal, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. He emphasized, 'For this to even be possible, we all had to be on the same page. It never felt right for me not to be home.' Lillard's gratitude was apparent as he acknowledged the opportunity to come back to Portland, despite having faced injuries.

The Trail Blazers originally selected Lillard with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Over the course of 11 seasons, he has established himself as one of the premier players in franchise history. His accolades include the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year award, seven All-NBA selections, and nine All-Star appearances, along with being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. Lillard holds the franchise records for points, three-pointers, and free throws, and played a pivotal role in leading the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. However, despite playing the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard's sentiments reflect a deep connection to his roots in Portland.

Unfortunately for Trail Blazers supporters, there may be a significant wait before they see Lillard return to the court. He sustained a torn Achilles during the Bucks' playoff run, which will necessitate a focus on rehabilitation in the early stages of his new contract. Trail Blazers' head coach Chauncey Billups commented on Lillard's recovery, saying, 'He'll be back as good as ever, if you know anything about him. This year, he'll be the highest-paid assistant coach in history. I'll be putting him to work every day.' Lillard noted he had discussions with notable athletes such as Aaron Rodgers, Kevin Durant, and Rudy Gay regarding overcoming Achilles injuries, stating, 'if it's a mental battle, I don't lose those. If it's physical, it's possible. But mental battles I don't lose.' He will have the unwavering support of a fanbase that cherishes him as he embarks on this journey to return to form with the Trail Blazers.