The priceless reaction of Lillard's daughter to his Rip City reunion says it all.
Damian Lillard is set to return to the Portland Trail Blazers this season after a two-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Following his torn left Achilles tendon in the first round of the playoffs, the Bucks stunned the NBA by waiving and stretching the remaining $113 million on Lillard’s contract over the next five years. This move created the necessary cap space for Milwaukee to sign Myles Turner.
On the bright side, it paved the way for Lillard to return to Portland, where he signed a three-year, $42 million deal.
Lillard held his re-introductory press conference with the club Monday and shared his daughter's hilarious reaction to his reunion with the Trail Blazers, following a question from Lindsay Schnell of The Athletic.
"They were with me, and we got back in the car to go home. I got to a red light, and I just turned around, and my daughter was looking at me, and I told her," Lillard said. "She was like, 'Wait, so we don’t have to get on the airplane to Milwaukee no more?'"
MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard news
The star point guard was linked to several contending teams after being waived but ultimately decided to return to Portland, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career.
The nine-time All-Star will now rehab his torn Achilles at home with his family and is expected to serve as a veteran mentor to Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe next season.
It’s unclear whether Lillard will return to game action in the 2025-26 campaign, but he will join a rising Trail Blazers team with young assets and the opportunity to build something special in Portland.
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Category: Basketball
