Damian Lillard is heading back to Portland.
The nine-time All-Star has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday.
Lillard’s new deal includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and a no-trade clause, making him one of only two active NBA players with such protection, alongside the Lakers’ LeBron James. Bradley Beal held one before agreeing to a buyout with the Suns earlier this week.
“Lillard and the Trail Blazers both deeply cared about a reunion in recent weeks — with multiple meetings among the Portland franchise icon, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups to bond together and move forward united on a new deal,” Shams reported.
The Bucks waived the 35-year-old earlier this month and stretched the remaining $113 million of his contract in order to sign free agent big man Myles Turner.
The veteran guard is expected to use next season to rehab his torn left Achilles, which he suffered in April during Game Four of Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series against Indiana. He underwent surgery in May.
“Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate his injury, but a return to the franchise and Portland, where his family and children reside were of the ultimate importance,” sources told ESPN.
Lillard holds franchise records for points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387), and sits second in assists (5,151).
He also made seven All-Star teams and eight playoff appearances during his first 11 seasons in Portland, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019.
Including regular season and playoffs, Lillard has recorded seven 55-point games with the Blazers. No other player in team history has even one.
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