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Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Lillard's deal includes a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. Lillard joins the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James as the only NBA players with a true no-trade clause in their contracts.
Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate his injury, but a return to the franchise and Portland, where his family and children reside were of the ultimate importance, per sources. He also had multiple midlevel exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders, per sources.
Trae Young on recruiting Luke Kennard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker: I wanted them on my team, and I know they would make our team better
But the recruitment process of free agents like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard—I know you personally reached out to both of those guys. Did you have a relationship with either of them? And if so—or if not—what was that recruitment conversation or process like for you as a leader of the Hawks? Trae Young: Yeah, no—I mean, I talked to both of them on the phone. I was able to talk to them. I’ve known them for years. I mean, being in this game, you connect with guys throughout the years, so I’ve known both of those guys for years. But yeah, I reached out to both of them and we were able to connect. Obviously, they both had options, but I wanted them on my team, and I know they would make our team better. So we were able to talk and make it happen. I'm happy that they’re on my team—we made it work.
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Josh Hart: So it's like that second apron, it's like the Grim Reaper right now
Josh Hart: And it's kind of about, you know, our situation, but also, like, we can talk about it more around the league—like that second apron—where it's like dudes are figuring out ways to avoid that second apron at any cost. Even like you’re saying, guys now—normally, no one really gets a buyout until you’ve got one year remaining on your deal, and it’s after the trade deadline, and y’all come to some type of agreement. Now, you’re seeing guys get bought out now. You’re seeing guys get waived and stretched, and it’s just with, you know, a massive amount of money on their contract. So it's like that second apron, bro—it's like the Grim Reaper right now.
Shams Charania: Portland traded Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and assets in 2023 -- then Holiday to Boston for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and assets. Now, the Blazers have both Lillard and Holiday, plus Williams, Camara, a 2029 first-rounder and two Bucks swaps.
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