Milwaukee Bucks: Reason Why Damian Lillard Chose to Return to Trailblazers on Discount Revealed

On Thursday evening, it was reported by Shams Charania of ESPN that Lillard had reached a three-year $42 million contract agreement to return to the Portland Trailblazers, from whom the Bucks originally acquired nearly two years ago in exchange for Jrue Holdiday:

Lillard, of course, spent the first 11 seasons of his NBA career with Portland, becoming the greatest player in that franchise’s history, their all-time leading scorer, and made a name for himself as one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players.

During his 11 seasons in Portland, Lillard averaged 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.

Former Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Damian Lillard Wanted to Play Close to Home

After reporting that Lillard was returning to the franchise he spent most of his career with, Charania also revealed why he made the decision to re-sign with them, despite the fact that his exit from the team followed a long, drawn-out feud with the front office:

It was no secret that being away from his children affected Lillard mentally, especially in his first year with the Bucks. He spoke often of how hard it was to be away from them, and that he often felt lonely in Milwaukee because of the distance between himself and his family.

In this sense, a return to the Trailblazers was meant to be. It is not that he did not like the city of Milwaukee, the Bucks franchise, or his teammates; it was that he missed his kids.

And now he will likely finish his career with them close by.