Damian Lillard already has a strong case to make as the greatest player in Portland Trail Blazers franchise history.
There are really three who have a legitimate case to make as the franchise GOAT: Lillard, Bill Walton, and Clyde Drexler.
Walton has the peak, bringing this franchise its lone title in 1977 as the Finals MVP. Drexler has more longevity than Walton, who unfortunately saw his career derailed by injuries. Led by Drexler, the Blazers reached the Finals in both 1990 and 1992.
Meanwhile, Lillard has the modern statistical case as the franchise's leading scorer, along with several other impressive accolades from his first stint with the Blazers.
Damian Lillard's return could cement him as Blazers GOAT
Before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard passed Drexler as the Blazers' all-time leading scorer, currently with 19,376 points. Now about to begin his second stint in this 2026-27 season after a gap year following a torn Achilles, anything Lillard achieves in this second stint could be considered just running up the score at this point.
While the expectation was that Lillard would finish out his career in Portland, it was far from a guarantee in the unpredictable nature of the ever-evolving NBA. It certainly wasn't expected to happen just two seasons later.
But two consecutive first-round playoff exits later, the Bucks ultimately decided to waive and stretch an injured Lillard. It was a desperate attempt to keep superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, clearing space to sign Myles Turner.
That desperate move obviously backfired, considering Giannis is now in South Beach. But that full-circle trade was an absolute fleece by Blazers GM Joe Cronin, who managed to get Lillard back two seasons later while still having key assets from the initial trade.
Better yet, it was a team-friendly deal for the Blazers to have their franchise icon back in Portland, where he belongs. The result is a young core that's far better equipped to help Lillard in the postseason, the one area where he lacks relative to Walton and even Drexler without a Finals appearance.
Still, it's hard to fault Lillard, seeing how much Portland continually failed to surround him with the right pieces. If anything, it's a testament that he kept this supporting cast so playoff-relevant, almost single-handedly carrying this franchise for over a decade.
If the up-and-coming Blazers can continue their gradual ascent, there's at least a chance for the 36-year-old Lillard to come away with that ring he deserves before retirement.
Regardless, these additional seasons with the Blazers should help Lillard solidify his case over Walton, Drexler, and others as the best ever to do it in Rip City.
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