Back to the original starting point: Opportunity to return to Portland?

After a series of ruthless operations, the NBA finally saw a little bit of warmth.

According to reports, Lillard, who was bought out by the Bucks, returned to the Trail Blazers for three years of 42 million. This former King of Northwest has reunited with his old club who had been with him for 11 years.

This is an excellent opportunity for Lillard, who has suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, to return to Portland. He was already almost on the edge of the league. It seems that he may even become a passerby player since then, but the Trail Blazers chose to send him an olive branch. Not only did he get a salary far higher than his basic salary, but he also returned to the old place that best allowed him to re-evaluate his career.

According to objective conditions, although Lillard's contract was not bought out but cut off, the Bucks should give Lillard a penny. In other words, compared with Ayton and Bill, who were also laid off this offseason, both of them need to give up part of their salary, and Lillard has a lot of advantages.

It is precisely because of this choice that the Bucks put Lillard in a position that is completely unworthy. Due to serious injuries, the more than 50 million he had to pay in the 2025-26 season meant that he would not get any reward directly, and the Bucks chose to buy out directly. The direct idea was that even if Lillard recovered from injury in the 2026-27 season, his value would not be worth the original more than 50 million, not to mention the subsequent risks brought by this major injury.

means that the 113 million paid to Lillard by the Bucks in the next two years can only be used for one year, which is definitely a far from a return option. Therefore, the Bucks decisively chose to lay off employees, adjust their spending in the past two years, and strive to squeeze out some operational space.

According to conventional theory, the Bucks' pessimism is not without reason. Although Lillard is good at shooting three-pointers throughout his career, he is also a player who relies heavily on explosive power to create breakthrough opportunities and shooting gaps. The Achilles tendon injury is even more severe to his legs. Considering that he is already 36 years old after returning to the team after he recovers from injury. These issues will inevitably make Lillard no longer at the star level when he returns in the future.

From the case of being laid off, some possible future routes can also be considered from Westbrook's example.

Westbrook is a very controversial player in recent years. Before his shooting declined sharply, although there was some controversy, he was at least worthy of a high salary. However, after the Lakers' time, he went around until the Jazz were laid off. Next, both the Clippers and the Nuggets had only the basic salary quotes left. Even though his actual performance is far more worthwhile than other basic-paying players, the market conditions are basically unable to recover.

Don't forget, this is based on the fact that Westbrook has not suffered any major injuries in recent years. Under normal circumstances, it is normal to decline with age. It is the premise that Billy Lyrard suffered major injuries and various situations may have a significant decline. If it is not a team that has emotional bonus points for Lillard, he will usually think that he is just a basic salary player.

Judging from this case, it is hard to imagine Lillard's future market conditions after suffering a major Achilles tendon injury, and his age drag. It is also this node that the signing of the Trail Blazer shows more sincerity.

Back in 2023, when Lillard applied for a transaction, many people mocked him for losing his loyal personality, but from another perspective, the Trail Blazers' years of inaction is equivalent to forcing Lillard to leave the team in disguise. In the end, the two sides broke up, which was considered as leaving a step for each other. However, in this process, Lillard lost his loyalty, and the Trail Blazers also left a negative comment that he was unwilling to treat the head of the family well.

If there is a city in the entire NBA that has a demand for Lillard beyond its actual performance, it will inevitably be Portland. Only here has he been treated as a leader, and for Portland, only Lillard has brought them glorious moments recently. Whether it is the Rockets in 2014 or the Thunder in 2019, it will inevitably be a classic memory in the history of the Trail Blazers.

From this perspective, the Trail Blazers chose to sign Lillard, and this choice did add points to the team's image. Although they do not have the strength to compete in the Western Conference next season, they at least have not chosen to completely play. And a contract was given to Lillard that was higher than the market. Judging from the team's salary structure, they will only pay a part of the luxury tax for this contract this year, and there will be no big burden on Lillard's signing in the future.

As for the team's management, it can be foreseen that they do not expect or need to urge Lillard to come back early next season, and in the 2026-27 season when he is completely cured, he may not be the core player leading the entire team. In this case, the signing of the Trail Blazers and him is equivalent to giving away a complete veto of the deal. As long as nothing unexpected happens, Lillard will leave him in Portland until the age of 38.

By the age of 38, Lillard was probably the veteran at the countdown to his career. Whether he really kept the last time of his career in Portland or went elsewhere, at least he would have given Portland fans sincere blessings.

It can be expected that this three-year contract has probably bought Lillard's career end, allowing the most representative star in modern Trail Blazers' history to leave the last part of his career in Portland. He has given up his loyal character in the past two years, but he has not achieved any substantial achievements after the Bucks' first round game. Now after a serious injury, Lillard may have gradually given up his obsession with the championship. Returning to his roots may be the best ending at the end of his career.

Of course, it is not ruled out that there will be other changes in three years, or if the Trail Blazers succeed in replacing, will the new management still have feelings for Lillard, but at least the signing now gives Lillard and the Trail Blazers fans more emotional belongings. At this moment, the most important thing for Lillard may be only one sentence:

Welcome home, Damian Lillard!