Trail Blazers may regret Damian Lillard reunion 

There's no denying the warm feelings of the story, and Lillard has every right to set his priorities however he chooses, but this reunion is one the Trail Blazers may regret. 

Lillard's new deal is for three years and is worth $42 million. It's a far cry from the four-year, $176 million mega deal he signed back in 2021, but still significant given the circumstances. 

For one, the Blazers are going to pay Lillard $14.1 million in the first year (the Bucks are on the hook for the rest), expecting him to miss the entire season. So, Portland will enjoy absolutely no on-court production from him for a year in a deal that technically only guarantees two seasons since Lillard has a player option for year three. 

It's safe to assume he will pick that up based on his desire to retire in Portland, but that's still only the actual two seasons of play out of the three they'll pay for. Lillard also just turned 35 and will be 36 when he actually takes the court again wearing his famous Trail Blazers No. 0 jersey. 

He averaged 24.9 points per game while shooting 44% from the field in 58 games in 2024-25. However, the combination of recovering from an Achilles tear and age could easily cause his numbers to decrease even further from his prime years. 

Portland is also rebuilding and handing minutes to a legend in his final seasons may be counterproductive to their true goal of developing a new set of stars and trying to eventually win. 

Instead of spending to put more talent around recent top draft picks Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan as they develop, the Trail Blazers put more money into the wallet of a player whose best days are likely behind him. Beyond the money, inserting Lillard into the lineup may disrupt the development and chemistry of their young core. 

Trail Blazers fans may feel all is right with the world as they permanently set their clocks to Dame Time, but is this reunion really what's best for the franchise? 

Portland already failed to build a legitimate title contender around Lillard once, and his second stint sends the message that pursuing a championship isn't the top priority for the Trail Blazers anymore, either.