Damian Lillard Signs $42M Deal to Rejoin Trail Blazers—No-Trade Clause Seals Legendary Return
Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is officially returning to the Portland Trail Blazers, locking in a three-year, $42 million contract that includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and a rare no-trade clause.
With this clause, Lillard joins LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers as the only current NBA players holding a true no-trade clause. Bradley Beal had one as well before parting ways with the Phoenix Suns via a buyout deal earlier this week.
Sources reveal that Lillard and the Trail Blazers had been working behind the scenes to reunite, fueled by mutual interest and commitment. Multiple meetings between Lillard, GM Joe Cronin, and head coach Chauncey Billups helped pave the way for a united path forward.
Earlier this month, the Milwaukee Bucks waived Lillard, who is now 35 years old, and stretched out the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to sign free agent center Myles Turner.
Now, Lillard will earn a combined $70 million in the 2025-26 season from both his Portland and Milwaukee contracts, and a whopping $141 million over the next two years, with an opt-out option in 2027. The agreement was finalized by Trail Blazers executives and Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management.
However, this return comes amidst recovery—Lillard tore his left Achilles during Game 4 of the Bucks' playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in April and underwent surgery in May. He is expected to spend the 2025-26 season rehabilitating.
Still, according to sources, Lillard’s top priority was coming back to Portland, where his family and children reside. Despite receiving multiple midlevel and minimum contract offers from NBA contenders, his heart was set on rejoining the Blazers.
His journey has been nothing short of dramatic. In 2023, Portland traded Lillard to the Bucks for Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and future assets. Shortly after, Holiday was dealt to the Boston Celtics in a package that brought back Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and draft picks—one of which turned into Deni Avdija.
Now, in an unexpected twist, Portland has both Lillard and Holiday back—the latter re-acquired in a recent trade with Boston. The Blazers’ roster now includes Lillard, Holiday, Avdija, Williams, Camara, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future pick swaps with the Bucks.
After a promising 22-18 finish last season, Portland is looking to capitalize on their defensive momentum—they were top five in overall defense and ranked third in transition defense during that stretch.
Lillard’s legacy in Portland is unmatched. Over 11 seasons, he’s made seven All-Star teams, earned seven All-NBA honors, and led the Blazers to the playoffs eight times, including a Western Conference Finals run in 2019. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387), and second in assists (5,151).
And here's a stat that screams dominance: Lillard has posted seven 55-point games for the Blazers—including playoffs. No other player in franchise history has even one.