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Damian Lillard agrees to sign with surprising team

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 5:41 PM ET

Damian Lillard has chosen his new team, and the choice will come as a shock to many.

Lillard is returning to Portland to sign with the Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The 35-year-old is signing a three-year, $42 million contract.

BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old. pic.twitter.com/mm1uUtMgO6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2025

Lillard is poised to miss the entire 2025-26 season as he rehabs from the Achilles tear he suffered during the playoffs with the Milwaukee Bucks. Charania added that Lillard turned down opportunities to sign with a contender for either the mid-level exception or the league minimum.

Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate a torn Achilles tendon, but a return to the franchise and Portland where his family and kids reside were of the ultimate importance. He also had multiple mid-level exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders. https://t.co/leLbfY8zab
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2025

Lillard spent the first 11 seasons of his NBA career with Portland and remained loyal even after the team failed to come close to winning a championship. They then traded him to the Bucks, where he failed to get out of the first round in two seasons.

Few would have expected Lillard to return to the Blazers. Rumors had linked him almost exclusively to contending teams and the belief was he would land with a team where he could win an elusive NBA title. Instead, he wanted to return to Portland, where his family still lives.

The Blazers are coming off a 36-46 season, and will not have Lillard this season. The hope is that he can come back in a year and play for a team that will be able to make the Western Conference Playoffs.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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