5 Reasons Dame's Portland Return Could Actually Work

Damian Lillard is heading home.

After a month of free agency limbo filled with tug-of-war rumors and growing uncertainty, the nine-time All-Star has finally found his next team—and it’s a familiar one. Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, the franchise he spent the first 11 years of his career with before being traded to Milwaukee in 2023. It’s a move that has already stirred emotional reactions across the league and among fans in Rip City, who are eager to welcome Dame back—but not without raising some questions.

Lillard, who just turned 35, still has plenty left in the tank. Despite battling an Achilles injury last season, he suited up for 58 games with the Bucks, averaging 25 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. The numbers don’t lie: the clutch gene is alive and well. But with $103 million left on his previous contract before being waived, his return comes at a steep discount—a sign that the league’s faith in his longevity may be wavering.

So now what? Is this a heartwarming homecoming to finish what he started, or a sentimental detour that takes him even further from the ring he's still chasing?

It’s easy to see both sides. But if the stars align, Lillard’s return to Portland could be more than just a reunion—it could be redemption. Here are five reasons why Dame’s second stint in Rip City might actually work.

No Learning Curve

Damian Lillard isn’t just returning to any team—he’s returning to his team. The city of Portland has long embraced him as more than a player and that kind of connection doesn’t disappear. With the fanbase fully behind him and a culture he helped shape still intact, Dame walks back into a locker room and city that knows him and believes in him. The 11 historic seasons he spent with the club were nothing short of remarkable. It's as if Anthony Davis returned to New Orleans—Portland is home for Dame, therefore he doesn't have to make any major cultural adjustments or refine his game to play in Portland, even without Terry Stotts. Portland knows exactly what they're getting.

Limitless Potential

This isn’t the same roster Dame left behind. In his absence, the Trail Blazers have quietly assembled one of the most promising young cores in the league. Shaedon Sharpe is a jaw-dropping high flyer with a quality midrange game. Deni Avdija is coming off a career-best season in points, assists, and rebounds, showing he can be a reliable two-way threat. Add to that Yang Hansen, the 16th overall pick and a Summer League standout whose raw upside is turning heads, and you start to see the foundation being laid. Scoot Henderson—the No. 3 overall pick from last year—has shown capability of being a team leader, and anchoring the interior is 7’2” NCAA champion Donovan Clingan, a defensive wall with soft touch around the rim. It’s a roster brimming with youth, length, and two-way potential. Veteran forward Jerami Grant is still capable of dropping 20 on any given night, and if Jrue Holiday stays, Portland retains one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball. Lillard has never had this level of depth surrounding him in Portland.

This Contract Isn't Endgame

Lillard’s new three-year, $42 million deal is both team-friendly and fair. Considering he had $103 million left on his previous contract, this new deal is a massive, nearly questionable discount—especially for an All-Star caliber player still averaging 25 points and 7 assists per game. For Portland, it opens up cap space as well as flexibility to build around him. For Dame, it offers a manageable commitment as he eases into the twilight of his career. It’s a smart, low-risk contract that makes sense for both parties, giving Portland breathing room while keeping Lillard paid and in control of his next few years.

The Pressure Is Off—for the First Time in Years

For the first time in many years, the pressure is off for Lillard. But that doesn’t mean the stakes are low. Currently on injured reserve with no firm timetable for his return, Dame finds himself in unfamiliar territory: not as the nightly offensive savior, but as the experienced voice in the locker room. And truthfully, he’s earned that right. He’s already done everything there is to do in Portland—made the All-Star teams, set franchise records, hit game-winners, and carried the city on his back for over a decade. Now, he has a different kind of value. While he recovers, Lillard can help groom Scoot Henderson into the scoring force he once developed Simons into. He can anchor the culture, keep the locker room focused, and remind these young players what the "O" stands for. But don’t get it twisted—fans haven’t lowered the bar entirely. Lillard’s legacy still has one glaring hole: no ring. If he falls short again, he risks receiving the AI treatment. So yeah, the pressure is off. But the clock? Still ticking.

Portland's Stock Just SKYROCKETED

Damian Lillard’s return puts Portland back on the map overnight—strategically. The Blazers regain a box office name, yes, but more importantly, they regain a player who elevates everyone around him. The roster is undoubtedly unusual, but Lillard's floor spacing gives any offense breathing room, and his willingness to pass ensures Portland’s depth isn’t wasted. Young guys like Sharpe, Scoot, and Avdija thrive when the floor is open and the defense is scrambling, and Lillard’s presence guarantees that kind of chaos. Even though he remains injured, his presence in the locker room forces opposing teams to take Portland seriously again. When he does return midseason, it won't be to carry the load—it’ll be to stabilize it. And for a team teetering between development and playoff contention, that kind of veteran security can be the difference between a first round exit or making noise in the Conference Finals. With Dame back, Rip City’s competitive value—and its free agency appeal—just got a massive boost.

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Jokes will be made. Backlash is inevitable. But Damian Lillard had time—weeks, in fact, to weigh his options, consider the noise, and choose what felt right. In the end, he came back to where it all began. To the franchise that helped him rise from a promising rookie into a household name. Throughout his tenure in Portland, Lillard cemented himself as one of the greatest point guards of this generation and earned his spot among the NBA’s Top 75 players of all time. The only thing missing? A championship. That elusive ring remains the final piece of his storied puzzle—the one thing that could elevate his legacy from respected to legendary.

Can Dame pull it off and deliver Portland its long-awaited title? Or will this reunion be seen as a step away from contention—a feel-good ending that leaves fans wondering what could’ve been? Only time will tell. But for now, one thing’s certain: it’s Dame Time in Rip City…again.

It's been a crazy offseason, and we're not even halfway through. Stay locked in with FOSN for full coverage, updates, and highlights. What blockbuster signing is coming up next?

Thanks for reading!

Joel Piton

@jp7ton