Damian Lillard is back where it all began, but the Portland Trail Blazers team he has rejoined looks vastly different from the one he left three years ago. Following a high-profile trade request, a challenging stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, and a grueling recovery from a torn Achilles, the seven-time All-Star has returned to Oregon with a new perspective and a roster he believes was only made possible by his departure.
The Trail Blazers open their week with a 2-0 record heading into a Tuesday night matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. For Lillard, the early success of the 2026-27 season is a validation of a difficult journey. After spending 11 seasons as the face of the franchise, Lillard requested a trade in the summer of 2023 in search of a championship. That path took him to Milwaukee, where he joined superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a partnership that never quite reached its projected heights.
Lillard’s time in Milwaukee was marked by instability, including mid-season coaching changes and persistent questions regarding his chemistry with Antetokounmpo. Off the court, Lillard admitted to feeling isolated as his family remained in Portland. The tenure ended abruptly in 2025 when Lillard suffered an Achilles tear during his second consecutive first-round playoff exit. In a move that stunned the league, the Bucks waived Lillard that summer with two years and $113 million remaining on his contract.
Despite the heartbreak of being released while injured, Lillard found an immediate lifeline from his former home. Portland was the first team to reach out after he was waived in July 2025. Lillard spent the entirety of the following season in rehabilitation, watching from the sidelines as a young Blazers core made a surprise postseason run without him.
Now healthy and back on the court, Lillard is averaging 28.5 minutes through the first two games of the new season, contributing 25 points in the season opener and 19 points in a subsequent victory over the Sacramento Kings. He maintains that he harbors no regrets about the detour that led him away from the Rose City.
“The team that I’m on now couldn’t be formed if I had never left,” Lillard noted in recent comments reflecting on the team’s transition. He argued that his departure allowed the front office to move away from desperate veteran acquisitions and instead focus on a genuine rebuild. The assets gained from the original trade and the subsequent drafting allowed Portland to assemble a deep, eclectic roster managed by first-year head coach Micah Nori.
The current Portland rotation is a blend of high-end talent and versatile depth. The backcourt now features Lillard alongside former All-Star Ja Morant and two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday—who was ironically a piece of the original trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee. They are joined by former No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson, creating one of the most dynamic guard rotations in the league. The roster is rounded out by emerging big man Donovan Clingan, defensive specialist Toumani Camara, and forward Deni Avdija, an All-Star last season.
Coach Nori has utilized this depth to manage Lillard’s workload effectively. In the win over Sacramento, Nori even experimented with late-game defensive substitutions, pulling stars like Lillard and Morant for defensive specialists. It is a level of support Lillard rarely had during his first decade in Portland, when he was often required to carry the scoring burden for 40 minutes a night just to keep the team competitive.
For Lillard, the current environment feels simpler. He emphasized that the selflessness of the group, including Morant’s willingness to share playmaking duties, has created a situation where he does not feel overwhelmed by responsibility. This depth is intended to keep the 36-year-old guard fresh for a deep postseason run, a luxury he hopes will finally lead to the championship success that has eluded him.
As the Blazers prepare for their nationally televised clash with the Lakers, Lillard views his return as a testament to his character and resilience. After being criticized during his Milwaukee tenure and written off by some after his injury, he sees this season as an opportunity to prove his enduring value to a franchise that never stopped believing in him.
