When Damian Lillard — rapping under the stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A — addressed his departure from the Trail Blazers two years ago in the song “Farewell,” he sang that his love for the fans was “unconditional” while seemingly taking aim at team management. 

But the NBA star seems to have let bygones be bygones with the Trail Blazers and is finalizing a three-year, $42 million deal to return to Portland following the buyout of his contract with the Bucks earlier this month, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. 

The new deal will include a player option for the 2027-28 season and will include a no-trade clause. 

Damian Lillard is heading back to the Trail Blazers on a $42 million deal. AP

The plan for this upcoming season will be for Lillard to rehabilitate from a torn Achilles tendon, the NBA insider also reported. 

Lillard re-posted several posts about his return to his Instagram Story once the news was reported. 

He and general manager Joe Cronin met at Lillard’s home several weeks ago, according to insider Chris Haynes, and made amends so they could work toward striking a deal for the beloved Trail Blazer to return to Portland for the opportunity to retire in Portland.

Charania also indicated that multiple meetings had taken place that involved Lillard, Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups. 

Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks attends the game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Las Vegas Aces on May 30, 2025 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images

The Bucks waived Lillard at the beginning of July, ending his somewhat short tenure in Milwaukee that was marred by injury. 

Lillard tore his Achilles during Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series with the Pacers and underwent surgery in Mary. 

The decision to cut ties with Lillard, whom the Bucks acquired in a 2023 trade with Portland that sent Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara and other assets out west, was a surprise and even led to Knicks guard Josh Hart describing the Milwaukee exit as “outrageous” during a new episode of the “Roommates Show” podcast. 

Damian Lillard shoots a free throw for the Bucks. AP

“This is Dame,” he said. “This is Damian Lillard, and it’s just the stuff that’s going on now is crazy.”

The Knicks star reacted with clapping hands emojis on X after Thursday’s news.

Lillard was drafted by the Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in 2012 and played his first 11 seasons in the league in Portland, where he made seven All-Star appearances and was named to seven All-NBA teams. 

The Trail Blazers made the postseason in eight of the 11 seasons he was there and appeared in the Western Conference finals in 2019. 

Lillard holds the franchise record in points (19,376) and 3-pointers (2,387).