Damian Lillard is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal, according to ESPN.

Lillard, who was drafted by Portland as the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, spent 11 seasons with the Blazers before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the 2023-24 season. Now 35, Lillard returns to the team where he holds franchise records for points (19,376) and three-pointers (2,387).

However, Lillard’s return may not happen immediately. He tore his left Achilles tendon during a playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and is expected to miss the 2025-26 season.

The Bucks waived him earlier this month, stretching the remaining $113 million of his contract over five years.

Despite the injury, Lillard had a stellar 2024-25 season, ranking 10th in the league in scoring (24.9 points per game) and assists (7.1), earning his ninth All-Star selection. He played 58 games due to deep vein thrombosis.

Lillard confirmed his return to Portland on Instagram, posting a video from the Blazers’ locker room with the caption, “RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!”

In his final season with Portland, Lillard averaged 32.2 points per game and scored 71 points against the Houston Rockets. However, the Blazers struggled in the postseason, winning just four series and reaching the Western Conference finals once.

Lillard had previously expressed no hard feelings about leaving Portland, as he sought a championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, while the Blazers focused on developing young talent.

Lillard hinted at a potential return during an event in 2024 and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in points and three-pointers.

With career averages of 25.1 points and 6.7 assists per game, Lillard looks set to write the next chapter of his legacy in Portland.