Damian Lillard says he’s happy again ❤️
“This is one of the times in my life where I feel extremely happy. Every day, I wake up and I’m thankful. I’m waking up seeing my kids, taking them to school. I can just drive down to my mom’s house. It’s a blessing, man. I couldn’t be happier.”
(Via https://t.co/WmG7TBTKD5)
Portland traded Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, assets in 2023 – then Holiday to Boston for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, assets (one led to Deni Avdija).
Now, Blazers have Lillard and Holiday, plus Avdija, Williams, Camara, a 2029 first, two MIL swaps.
BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old.
Two crazy things happened at the end of last season...
1️⃣ Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles' injury
2️⃣ The Portland Trail Blazers started winning
Dame's injury led to the biggest waive-and-stretch in NBA history. He will now get paid to go play for a contender who can bring him in on the vet min.
He can go home to rehab, weigh out his options, get paid the same, and go to the best possible situation to win when he's ready.
Meanwhile, Portland found something in 2025.
They had the 2nd-best defensive rating in the NBA after All-Star break. They went from lottery-bound in the 12 seed to nearly making the Play-In Tournament. And it's because they hit on so many bets.
Donovan Clinigan? Massive human.
Deni Avidja? True star potential.
Shaedon Sharpe? Pure scorer.
Toumani Camara? Defensive demon.
Then they doubled-down on this defensive identity with the addition of Jrue Holiday. They have the size, versatility and leadership of a dangerous team. The only thing missing is a consistent scorer and creator who can mentor Scoot Henderson.
It's almost like...the Blazers finally built the team that Dame needed when he was there.
But it's not too late.
Dame can come home and do the unthinkable. The West is a gauntlet, but the Blazers has a championship-level defense. If they can compete for a playoff spot without Dame, imagine what they could do with him.
The 4-seed Pacers made the Finals. OKC is the youngest team in the NBA and they won the championship.
Anything is possible in the NBA. Now more than ever 💯
@LACviolation@77Blazers@trailblazers “And speaking of those technical fouls, especially with [Wallace], depending on who was refereeing, if I was with a couple of my buddies, we’d throw $20 on the table, and we’d say, ‘The first one to bang Rasheed with a technical foul gets $60.” -Tim Donaghy