Damian Lillard Returns to Portland Trail Blazers After Bucks Waiver, Faces Long Recovery

Damian Lillard has signed a three-year deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on July 1, a move that stretched his remaining $113 million contract. He publicly expressed his excitement about being back in Portland, even as Kyle Kuzma takes his former No. 0 jersey in Milwaukee. Lillard is expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury sustained in Game 4 of the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. He reflected that his two seasons with the Bucks, where he averaged 25 points and 7 assists, were viewed unfairly despite his production.