Damian Lillard must come back fully from his brutal Achilles tear, but the Portland Trail Blazers guard was elite the last time he was on the floor. The most significant question marks on Portland's roster lie in their backcourt with their lack of playmaking, shot creation, and floor spacing -- all of which are areas where Lillard thrives. His anticipated return in 2026-27 is perfect timing to help take the Blazers' rebuild to the next level and could even prove to be the missing piece that leads Portland to a deep playoff run as soon as next season.
It's a perfect pairing this time around as the Blazers need a dynamic creator, but finally have other exciting pieces around the franchise icon.
Damian Lillard is exactly what this Blazers roster is missing
Dame's return to Portland was partially a basketball decision as the Blazers have finally assembled the team he's needed all those years, in large part thanks to the trade that sent him away in the first place. That makes Lillard's return a luxury for Portland rather than a necessity, which is an ideal situation as they don't want to be overly reliant on a 35-year-old coming off such a major injury.
Unfortunately, history suggests Lillard won't fully return to form. He's not buying it, and the patient rehab approach will certainly improve the odds of a full recovery. But realistically, even if Lillard is 90% of the player he previously was, that's going to be a major boost to Portland's roster.
The fit is arguably even more important than the talent. His strengths complement the Blazers' roster weaknesses, and he will effectively space the floor for players like Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe, both of whom are at their best when they use their athleticism to get downhill.
Lillard's limitations have always come on the defensive end; that could be even more magnified, assuming he loses a step coming back from injury. However, we're far removed from the Lillard-CJ McCollum era, which was overall a success but didn't necessarily translate into postseason impact as much as fans had hoped. The Blazers learned from their past roster construction mistakes, essentially building the opposite team -- one that gains a nightly advantage with their length, athleticism, and defense. Having those defensive-minded pieces like Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan, among others, will help cover for Lillard on the defensive end.
These new building blocks are an incredible foundation for Portland to build on. We're already seeing that this season with the Blazers right in the playoff race without their star guard. But Lillard's return will take this roster to new heights thanks to a combination of talent and fit. It's an exciting time in Portland.