Damian Lillard Returns to Portland Trail Blazers
The veteran guard rejoins the team after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2025.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you believe professional athletes should prioritize team loyalty over pursuing championship success?
Damian Lillard rejoined the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2025, returning to the city where he spent his first 11 NBA seasons. After being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, the 36-year-old guard signed a team-friendly contract with Portland following his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Why it matters
Lillard's return marks a reunion for the franchise and a player who previously requested a trade in 2023 to chase a championship. Portland fans are watching to see if this veteran addition can sustain the momentum of the team's current start.
The Trail Blazers currently hold a 2-0 record with Lillard averaging 28.5 minutes per game. The move follows his waiver from Milwaukee, where he had $113 million remaining on his contract.
The players
Damian Lillard
A 36-year-old NBA guard who returned to the Trail Blazers after an 11-season tenure and a stint in Milwaukee.
Portland Trail Blazers
The professional basketball team based in Portland that currently holds a 2-0 record.
Milwaukee Bucks
The NBA team that waived Lillard after his 2023 trade request.
Toumani Camara
An NBA player acquired by the Trail Blazers through the trade involving Lillard.
Deni Avdija
An NBA player acquired by the Trail Blazers during the trade process that involved Lillard.
The details
After missing the entire 2025-2026 season due to an Achilles injury sustained during the playoffs, Lillard signed with Portland as his first opportunity after free agency. The team has balanced its roster depth by limiting playing time for individual athletes during early-season matchups. Portland management previously acquired Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija through the trade sequence that sent Lillard to Milwaukee in 2023.
Timeline
2023: Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Trail Blazers.
2025: Damian Lillard tore his Achilles.
July 2025: Damian Lillard signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
October 2026: Damian Lillard plays in the current NBA season.
Beyond the Bridges
This move effectively reverses the 2023 trade request that saw Lillard depart Portland. It closes the chapter on his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks and brings the veteran guard back to his original franchise.
Fans can monitor Lillard’s performance as he continues to ramp up his minutes on the court. Watching the team's early-season rotation will show how the current 2-0 start holds up against upcoming opponents like those in Los Angeles.
The takeaway
Lillard's return is a notable reunion, but his physical recovery remains the key metric to watch for the remainder of the season. Track how the Trail Blazers manage his minutes against high-pressure opponents in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more on the roster and team development, visit Portland basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC News.
Live Poll
Do you believe professional athletes should prioritize team loyalty over pursuing championship success?
