Following his buyout from the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard, who is still injured, has found a new (old) home. According to ESPN, the point guard has signed a three-year contract with his former club, the Portland Trail Blazers.
In exchange for their star guard Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers received players Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara in 2023. In addition, the Milwaukee Bucks were generous with corresponding draft compensation. Now the Blazers have all that – plus Lillard.
As Shams Charania reports, the 33-year-old decided to return to Portland after his recent buyout in Milwaukee, turning down several offers from title contenders. The nine-time All-Star re-signed with his former team, where he spent his entire career before moving to Milwaukee. The contract is worth $42 million over three years, with Lillard having a player option in the final year. He also has a no-trade clause that allows him to prevent any trade involving him.
Despite injury: Nearly $70 million salary next season
In early July, Lillard agreed to the largest buyout in NBA history with the Milwaukee Bucks. The outstanding $113 million in salary will now be spread over the next five years instead of the next two. The Bucks took this step in order to sign center Myles Turner.
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According to ESPN, Lillard will earn around $70 million from his contracts with Milwaukee and Portland next season. Over the next two years, that figure rises to around $141 million.
Lillard will see little to no playing time in the 2025/26 season. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the first round of the playoffs. A comeback, if at all, is only possible around the playoffs.
