113 million was instantly laid off in 2 years! 42 million returned to his old club in 3 years, Lillard returned in the NBA with the most decent return

On July 18, the NBA free market just kicked off, and a blockbuster bomb directly hit Portland: Damian Lillard, 42 million US dollars in three years, returns to the Trail Blazers! To be honest, as soon as this news came out, even the old fans who were used to the wind and rain were shocked - who would have thought that after going around in circles, Coach Li would return to his "home".

01

Milwaukee's dream is broken, and Portland's warmth is first to talk about Lillard's experience in the past two years. It's really ups and downs. Li was placed on the shelves by the Trail Blazers, but they directly selected the championship-winning Bucks. Everyone thought that playing the first inside line in the league can realize the dream of a career championship, but who knows that man’s calculations are not as good as God’s calculations. Off the court, the family is separated by one side, and the marriage is on the red light; on the court, the chemistry with Antetokounmpo is just like that, and the injuries are endless. Especially this year's playoffs, the Achilles tendon was torn and the serious injury directly pressed the pause button for his career. Originally, there were two years and a large contract worth $113 million, but the Bucks cut him with the largest extension of history and paid his salary slowly in five years.

Who doesn't feel disgusted? However, Lillard's operation was also interesting - he had no economic losses and became a free agent and went wherever he wanted. The Celtics, Timberwolves, Lakers, Warriors...a bunch of teams have given olive branches, and the basic salary and middle class have given quotations. Coreless coach turned around and returned to Portland without any trouble.

02

In 11 years, Portland, just for the words "Welcome home"

In fact, everyone who understands Lillard's feelings understands. In 2011, Portland has won the scoring champion, three-pointer, and free throwing champion in the team history. What honors have never been won? The labels of team spirit and the top three superstars in team history are by no means exaggerated. When the Trail Blazers rebuilded, they helped guide themselves to apply for a deal, and the team was also righteous enough. Sending him to his dream team was considered to be the end of kindness.

But after all, the NBA is really not a fairy tale. During the Bucks, Lillard had enough of professional sports. The moment he was cut off, the whole league was looking at his choice. As a result, Li Guidance turned around and chose "home". Portland not only gave him a contract, but also gave him full protection, player options and trade veto. This is decent, only James is treated equally in the league. Behind the contract is the tenderness of reality

, some people say that Lillard's wave is "making" 70 million yuan. Indeed, he had a serious injury to the Achilles tendon and didn't have to play a single game in the 25-26 season. He got a salary and was the first in history. Don’t forget that it is not realistic for a 35-year-old All-Star to win a middle-class long-term contract in a strong team. When you are healthy, the All-Star level is injured and the market will immediately calm down.

The Trail Blazers' operation seems to be "losing money to recover", but in fact it is full of human feelings. You think, the team is being rebuilt. Big brother comes back to coach rookies Yang Hansen and Henderson and other juniors. Even if they just show off in the locker room, they can sell a lot of tickets and convey the warmth of "home".

04

The future of the Trail Blazers, is Lillard still the core?

Follow the lineup, Portland's back line now includes Lillard, Holiday, Henderson, Sharp, forwards Kamala, Avdia, Grant, inside players Yang Hansen, Klingen, and Rowe. The goal is clear - while cultivating new people, doing asset operations, and striving to get rid of reconstruction as soon as possible.

Lillard is definitely not the absolute core of the team in the short term, but his experience, traffic and emotional value are definitely unique. By the 2026-27 season, Lillard will fully recover and the salary structure will be more flexible. The Trail Blazers may be able to make room for another new thigh. As for whether Yang Hansen can play a pick-and-roll chemistry with Coach Li, it depends on the recovery of the injury and the progress of the season. It is difficult to draw a conclusion for the time being.

05

The most decent veterans, how many more are there in the NBA?

Flip the league's active veterans, James, Paul, Westbrook...Who isn't "focusing" in wandering and negotiations? Some are for the championship, some are for the last contract, and some are not able to find their boss directly. Compared with them, Lillard's wave is really the ceiling of the "decent veteran".

While holding the guarantee contract, you have the right to choose, and you can also return to your family and enjoy the applause of the fans and the respect of the management. The NBA is a business after all, but the Trail Blazers tell everyone with practical actions: there is still warmth, favors, gratitude, and belonging here.

06

The feelings are sentiments, and reality is also skinny

Lillard's return does not mean that Portland will return to the peak immediately. The impact of a large Achilles tendon injury is too great. Only Durant and Wilkins can return to their peak in history. It is extremely difficult for Lillard to return to his pre-injury state. The team will still have to follow the old path of training, adjustment and reorganization in the next two or three years.

But this does not prevent the fans from cheering him. After all, this is a two-way trip between a veteran and a team, and it is a rare warm moment in the NBA.

Even if Portland is still bad in the future, even if Lillard can only play and stop, fans will remember: he is back, with all his dignity and tenderness.

What do you think?