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It\u2019s about that time: A 9-time All-Star, Damian Lillard holds Portland records for points (19,376) and 3-pointers (2,387).<\/p>\n
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) \u2014 It appears Damian Lillard is back where he started.<\/p>\n
Lillard signed a three-year deal worth $42 million to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced.<\/p>\n
ESPN first reported the deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lillard, 35, was the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers and spent 11 seasons with Portland before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks just before the 2023-24 season.<\/p>\n However, it might not be Lillard Time in Portland just yet for the player known for pointing at his wrist after sinking key shots.<\/p>\n Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon<\/a> during a first-round NBA playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and required surgery, meaning he could miss the entire 2025-26 season. The Bucks had waived him earlier this month and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years.<\/p>\n BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old. pic.twitter.com\/mm1uUtMgO6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Lillard ranked 10th in the league in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) this season while earning his ninth All-Star Game selection. But he played only 58 games because of deep vein thrombosis.<\/p>\n Lillard confirmed the deal, posting a video to his Instagram<\/a> of the Trail Blazers\u2019 locker room, ending with a frame of a locker labeled with his name, followed by the words \u201cTogether Again.\u201d<\/p>\n He wrote \u201dRipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n Lillard averaged 32.2 points his final season in Portland. He became just the seventh player in NBA history to score more than 70 points in a game when he finished with 71<\/a> against the Houston Rockets that season.<\/p>\n But Portland won only four playoff series during Lillard\u2019s tenure, getting to the Western Conference finals once.<\/p>\n Lillard was beloved in Portland and always insisted there are no hard feelings over his separation with the Blazers. He wanted to try and chase a championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, while Portland was focused on developing young talent, like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.<\/p>\n Lillard, who has a signature shoe deal with Adidas, hinted during an event at the company\u2019s North American headquarters in 2024 that some day he might be willing to return to the Trail Blazers.<\/p>\n Lillard holds Portland records for points (19,376) and 3-pointers (2,387). He\u2019s the only Trail Blazers player to score 70 or more points in a game. He had five games of 60 or more points with Portland.<\/p>\n For his career, Lillard averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists. He was the 2013 Rookie of the Year and was named to the NBA\u2019s 75th Anniversary team<\/a> in 2021. He won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.<\/p>\n