Damian Lillard Breaks Silence on Returning to Blazers to Finish Career

Mar 19, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) participates in warmups before playing LA Clippers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images | Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star guard Damian Lillard shared his excitement about reuniting with the team that drafted him.

More news: Damian Lillard Signing With Blazers in Blockbuster $42 Million Signing

Lillard took to X to post a video about his return to the Pacific Northwest.

RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/x3jnZr1s0G

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 17, 2025

The nine-time All-Star spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Portland. Less than two years later, he is back to where his NBA career began.

Lillard was drafted by the Blazers sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Oakland native made a name for himself in Portland and established himself as arguably the greatest player in the franchise.

In his career in Portland, he was named Rookie of the Year, a seven-time All-Star, a seven-time All-NBA member and finished inside the top 10 of MVP voting six times.

Lillard was spectacular in his Portland career. In his first 11 seasons, he averaged 25.2 points per game, 6.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three in 36.3 minutes of action and 769 games.

Although Lillard and the Blazers are excited about his return, the possibility of him playing this upcoming season is unlikely. The 35-year-old suffered a torn Achilles in late April in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The expectation was that Lillard would rehab as a member of the Bucks; however, Milwaukee made the most shocking move of the offseason, waiving Lillard in early July to sign center Myles Turner.

According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Lillard and Blazers general manager Joe Cronin met at Lillard's house weeks ago, and the two made amends, allowing them to refocus their attention on securing a deal that would give him the opportunity to return as a Blazer.

Lillard is now back to where he belongs, and Blazer fans couldn't be happier. The veteran guard will now join the likes of Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan, to name a few.

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For more news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.