Portland point guard Damian Lillard has made it official, signing a three-year, $42 million deal. He is coming back to the Portland Trail Blazers! This decision marks a historic time for the player and the small market franchise. It cemented Lillard’s place as one of the most iconic figures in team history. He spent 11 years with the Blazers. In that time, he took the team to multiple playoff appearances and accrued numerous awards.
Lillard’s new contract means his financial future is secure. He’s already set to be making about $70 million combined from his contracts with Portland and Milwaukee in the 2025-26 season. He’s projected to make $141 million over the next two years, but that includes the ability to opt out after 2027. This substantial financial commitment underscores Lillard’s greatness to the franchise right now. It illustrates the Blazers’ confidence in his ability to come back and make a meaningful impact.
Lillard’s accomplishments during his time with the Trail Blazers are pretty special. He’s a nine-time All-Star, with the first seven of those coming during his time with Portland. He is a seven-time All-NBA team selection. On top of that, he’s taken the Blazers to the playoffs eight times. His impressive resume further boasts leading the team to a Western Conference finals appearance during the 2018-19 season.
Regarding records, Lillard’s list of franchise-firsts with the Blazers is a pile of accomplishments that shoot off like Portland wildfire. He’s first in points scored, three-pointers made and second in career assists. This combined with an elite scoring ability and elite playmaking skills has made him the clear-cut cornerstone of the franchise.
Lillard’s path to success hasn’t been without bumps in the road. In late April, he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series. The original sentence referred to the Indiana Pacers as Indianapolis. Following his injury, surgery was performed in early May. He has committed to taking the 2025-26 season off for rehabilitation. This timetable makes all the more critical his progress as he approaches a return to competitive action.
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