"Do you no longer have to catch the plane to Milwaukee?: Damian Lillard, ecstatic in his return to the Blazers"

Damian Lillard is back where it all began. The point guard signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, the team he played his first 11 seasons with in the NBA. The deal includes a no-trade clause and the option to leave after two seasons.

Lillard, 35, shared the moment with his three children: 7-year-old Damian Jr., and 4-year-old twins Kalii and Kali. On his way back home after signing, he felt the emotional weight of the return.

"Just thinking about being back home in every aspect of my life — with my kids, playing for the Blazers, driving on the same streets I've traveled my whole adult life, with my family here, my mother, my brothers, my friends throughout the city — all of that matters," he said. "I didn’t expect it to happen so soon."

Although he won't be back on the court immediately — an Achilles tendon rupture in April will keep him out for the entire 2025-26 season — Lillard doesn't rule out a return if he's fit. "My proudest self would think differently, but with age comes wisdom," he explained. "If taking all the necessary time to get right is what's best, that's what I'll do."

Portland coach Chauncey Billups joked: "I told him he'll be the highest-paid assistant in league history this year, because I'll have him working every day."

General manager Joe Cronin confirmed they won't rush his comeback: “We'll wait as long as needed.”

Lillard, averaging 25.1 points and 6.7 assists per game in his career, continues to be a beloved figure in Portland. "When I stopped at a traffic light, I turned around and saw my daughter looking at me. I told her we were back home. And she replied, 'So we don't have to take the plane to Milwaukee anymore?'" he shared, laughing.

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