Damian Lillard Reportedly Never Wanted To Leave Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers welcomed Damian Lillard back home this summer, signing the veteran guard to a three-year, $42 million deal after his brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.

It’s a reunion that almost never happened. The Bucks waived Lillard and stretched the remaining $103 million on his contract, opening the door for his return to the city he never wanted to leave.

“It never felt right, not being home,” Lillard said during his reintroduction ceremony alongside GM Joe Cronin and coach Chauncey Billups. “I never wanted to not be playing for this organization. To be back in this community, it all just feels right.”

The path back to Portland took some unexpected turns.

Lillard had requested a trade from the Blazers in 2023, specifically hoping to join the Miami Heat and team up with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. But according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, Lillard “never wanted to leave” and “always saw himself back in Portland.”

What went wrong? Communication issues, apparently.

“More than anything, it was miscommunications and misunderstandings,” Lillard explained. “Joe and I never talked about [a potential return]. It just sat out there and we let it be what it was, I think that was the mistake.”

Family played the biggest role in Lillard’s decision to return. He can now spend more time with his three young children – 7-year-old Dame Jr. and 4-year-old twins Kali and Kalii.

Life as a Buck

Lillard’s Milwaukee chapter wasn’t without success. The nine-time All-Star averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists during his two seasons with the Bucks.

He dropped a season-high 43 points against the 76ers last February.

But injuries derailed his time in Milwaukee. He missed the final 14 regular-season games last season, though the Bucks went 10-4 without him and finished on an eight-game winning streak.

The playoffs brought more disappointment. Milwaukee suffered first-round exits against the Indiana Pacers in both seasons, with Lillard missing time in both series.

The worst came in Game 4 of this year’s playoffs when Lillard tore his Achilles – a devastating injury that followed a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right calf just months earlier.

The Long Road Back

The torn Achilles means Lillard won’t play until 2026, when he’ll be 36 years old.

“It’s obviously a tough injury, but I know how I’m going to approach the whole rehab process, taking my time,” Lillard said. “I think I’m going to return to form.”

He’s already seeking advice from others who’ve overcome the same injury, including NBA stars Kevin Durant and Rudy Gay, plus NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

For now, Portland’s favorite son is just happy to be home, even if his return to the court is still a long way off.