Ex-Bucks All-Star Damian Lillard linked to his former team

Could there be a Damian Lillard reunion in Portland?

The Milwaukee Bucks stunned everyone across the NBA when they decided to waive Damian Lillard. Likely to spend most, if not all of next season recovering from a torn achilles, the Bucks decided to move in a different direction.

Now a free agent, a familiar destination has come up as a potential fit for Lillard. BetUS’s Jonathan Adams suggests that the Portland Trail Blazers could be an ideal landing spot for the nine-time All-Star. Lillard spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Portland, averaging 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game while being named an All-Star seven times.

“If Lillard’s top priority is happiness and not simply winning his first NBA title, a return to the Pacific Northwest could be in order,” Adams wrote. “The breakup did not work out well for either Lillard or the Blazers. Lillard could return to Portland and retire as a member of the Trail Blazers.”

Lillard likely won’t play next season, so this is strictly a move for the 2026-27 season. A move of this caliber could be both good for Portland, and good for Lillard. The Trail Blazers are a rising team in the Western Conference, and one last hoo-rah with Lillard could make them a considerably more dangerous team. If he is healthy and happy, Lillard should provide a positive impact should he return to his old stomping ground.