Damian Lillard has made his return to the Portland Trail Blazers, a move that he describes as feeling 'right' after a period away from the franchise. Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with a player option for the 2027-28 season, highlighting his commitment to the team he was first drafted by in 2012. During an introductory press conference, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return, despite dealing with injury challenges. 'For this to even be possible, we all had to be on the same page,' he stated. 'It never felt right for me not to be home.'

Lillard was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and over 11 seasons, he has established himself as one of the most prominent figures in the franchise's history. His accolades include the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year title, seven All-NBA selections, nine All-Star appearances, and a place on the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He is the all-time leader for the franchise in points, three-pointers, free throws, and other statistical categories, further solidified by his leadership in advancing the Trail Blazers to the 2019 Western Conference Finals. Even while having spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard's comments reflect a strong emotional connection to Portland.

However, Trail Blazers fans may have to wait until the 2026-27 season before seeing Lillard back on the court. He sustained a torn Achilles during Milwaukee's playoff run, and his immediate focus will be on rehabilitation. Head coach Chauncey Billups expressed confidence in Lillard's return, saying, 'He'll be back as good as ever, if you know anything about him.' Billups quipped that Lillard will serve as the 'highest-paid assistant coach in history' during his recovery phase. Lillard has also sought insights on overcoming Achilles injuries from prominent athletes such as Aaron Rodgers, Kevin Durant, and Rudy Gay, asserting, 'if it's a mental battle, I don't lose those.' With a supportive fanbase behind him, Lillard is poised to overcome this personal challenge as he aims to reestablish his role as a star player for the Trail Blazers.