Portland Trail Blazers fans have finally had enough time to process that beloved superstar -- and arguably the best Blazer of all time -- Damian Lillard is coming back home. Lillard officially signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers, which includes a no-trade clause and a player option for 2027-28.
Initial reactions covered the feel-good story about Lillard returning to a franchise where he spent most of his Hall of Fame-worthy career, while having a whole year to spend with his family in Portland as he recovers from injury. However, the actual basketball fit and roster addition are being overlooked.
Damian Lillard returns to Portland as more than just a feel-good story
There's a valuable aspect Lillard can provide to the Blazers' youth, specifically Scoot Henderson, as a mentor who is one of the best offensive guards of all time and knows what it takes to become a star in Portland. Chauncey Billups even referred to Lillard as the "highest-paid assistant coach in history" for this upcoming season.
But, most importantly, the Blazers will eventually be getting Lillard the player back. And on a bargain deal.
Lillard returns to Portland after an underwhelming two-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, he still has a long road ahead of him before returning to being the same player he was when he first requested a trade out of Rip City. Lillard is expected to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles, which he suffered on April 27 in Milwaukee's Game 4 playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. But even at 35, coming off an injury that essentially used to be a death sentence for players' careers, those who have followed Lillard's career know they'd be foolish to count him out.
The Blazers will pay Dame roughly $14 million annually. Even if he only returns as 80-90 percent of the player he was before injury, that will be an absolute steal. The NBA announced that the salary cap will increase by 10 percent for the 2025-26 season, meaning $14 million will be closer to what a role player is worth.
Since Lillard first left, we've extensively covered that the Blazers desperately need better top-end talent to compete in the West. They've also ranked bottom five in three-point shooting the past two seasons without him -- a concerning issue that could be even more apparent this season with Anfernee Simons out of the picture. By adding Lillard, they significantly address their two most glaring offseason needs.
Until his signing, the Blazers' offseason was largely disappointing. Lillard's reunion salvaged it. Given the weak free agency class, Lillard's contract, and Portland's needs, it was the biggest steal of free agency.