Damian Lillard is back where it all began, and he says it feels exactly right.
The nine-time All-Star signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Trail Blazers over the weekend, a move that includes a no-trade clause and an opt-out after two seasons. Lillard brought his three children, Damian Jr., 7, and 4-year-old twins Kalii and Kali, with him for the signing.
Just knowing that Im going to be back home for all parts of my life, with my kids, playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets that Ive driven on pretty much my entire adulthood, my whole family being here, my mom, my brother, my sisters, all my friends around the city of Portland, Lillard said. All of those things count. I wasnt expecting it to happen so soon.
He spoke emotionally about the moment his kids realized what it meant during their drive home.
I got to a red light, and I just turned around and my daughter was looking at me and I told her, Lillard said. And she was like, Wait, so, like, we dont have to get on an airplane to Milwaukee no more?
Despite the excitement of returning, Lillard faces a long recovery after tearing his left Achilles tendon in April. Surgery followed, and its likely the 35-year-old will miss the entire 2025-26 season.
My prideful self would be thinking differently, but I think with age, you get wiser, Lillard said. Like Joe said, its going to be ultimately whats best, I think, to take as much time as possible to make sure that Im right, thats what Ill do.
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