9x NBA All-Star Damian Lillard made a massive U-turn decision on the Portland Trail Blazers.
In the summer of 2023, Damian Lillard gave up on the Portland Trail Blazers as he demanded a trade after giving 11 years to the organization.
Dame was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. But it took Lillard just two seasons to get waived by the Bucks.
With Lillard becoming an unrestricted free agent, many rumored destinations were discussed, but the 35-year-old decided to come back to the Trail Blazers on a three-year deal.
The idea of Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo sounded phenomenal, at least on paper. Unfortunately, injuries held back the duo from reaching their full potential.
The duo did win the 2025 NBA Cup title, and Giannis announced it was just the beginning for them. However, a first-round exit in the 2025 postseason and a torn Achilles injury seemingly led to Lillard getting frustrated.
Now, he will rehabilitate from his injury at the same place that drafted him in 2012. With that said, does Lillard regret getting traded to the Bucks? Patrick Beverley had an answer for that on X.
“I don’t know. But I do know that the years he was there [Portland], he had no injuries, I do know that,” Beverley wrote on X.
While Lillard didn’t suffer a horrific injury like a torn Achilles tendon, he did miss all but 29 games during the 2021-22 NBA season. It was a result of surgery for a lingering abdominal injury.
Either way, Lillard had been relatively more impactful with the Trail Blazers than his short two-year stint in Milwaukee.
At 35 years old, Lillard’s best years are likely behind him, especially as he recovers from a gruesome injury. With his return to the Trail Blazers, it’s likely he won’t win an NBA Championship either.
However, Beverley is elated with Dame’s decision to give up on the ‘ring chasing’ culture and choose to return to the Trail Blazers.
“Dame to Portland, he is not wrong. said F that ring chasing. I’m going back to where the love is. That’s really what hoopers want, peace of mind and good hoops,” Beverley added on X.
It will be interesting to see what version of Lillard fans will get to witness once he’s back from his injury. After all, the most important factor in Lillard’s return wasn’t even related to winning on the court.
