Portland fans can sleep easy tonight—with grins on their faces and hope in their hearts. In a twist worthy of Hollywood, Damian Lillard is headed back to Rip City. After being waived and linked to powerhouses like the Lakers, Warriors, and Celtics, the nine-time All-Star is making a homecoming few thought possible. This marks the NBA’s most emotional return since LeBron James went back to Cleveland.

Reversing a blockbuster three-team trade isn’t simple, and it took a big name stepping up behind the scenes to mend fences and make this reunion happen. But now, the prodigal son returns—and Portland’s heart beats louder than ever.

Less than even half an hour after ESPN’s Shams Charania announced the return of Portland’s very own, NBA Insider Chris B Haynes revealed some additional updates. According to him, Portland GM Joe Cronin met at Damian Lillard’s house weeks ago. The two reportedly made amends, turning their focus to getting a deal done. A deal that ensures Lillard not only returns to his old team, but also potentially retire with them.

The Portland Trail Blazers certainly did take a major step to get the star back. Since the Milwaukee Bucks waived him, Damian Lillard’s $113 million that was remaining on his contract was stretched. This meant that, regardless of the circumstances, the player would receive the amount by the end of five years. This allowed him the independence to sign a contract with any team for any low amount. Despite this, the Blazers were generous and offered Lillard a 3-year, $42 million contract.

That’s not all, as more recent revelations highlighted that the new deal is expected to include a no-trade clause and a player option for the 2027-28 season.

The reunion was something that, according to reports, Joe Cronin “deeply cared” about. It isn’t clear whether the same was because of nostalgia or plain regret. The 7x NBA All-Star was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers after becoming the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He spent 11 seasons with the franchise, putting his loyalty on display. However, when the Blazers entered a rebuild period and looked to focus on younger talent like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, Lillard asked for a trade. Over the years, he insisted that there were no hard feelings over his separation from the Blazers. However, there were reports that the team refused to trade him to his preferred choice: the Miami Heat. Lillard was linked to the team again recently amid trade rumors.

The legacy Damian Lillard created with the Blazers would be hard to surpass. After all, despite leaving back in 2023, he remains the franchise leader in points, 3-pointers, and minutes played for the team. Now, he will only add on to that legacy, and couldn’t be happier at getting the chance to do so.

Damian Lillard highlighted mood after Blazers return with an energetic message: “RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!”

After Shams Charania and Chris B. Haynes handed out their updates, people waited to hear from the man himself! Sure enough, Damian Lillard soon took to his official X account. He put out a 43-second video highlighting the Blazers locker room, and the jerseys of the roster place in their respective area. At the end, after Scott Henderson’s 00 area, fans caught a glimpse of a Blazers jersey lying in Damian Lillard’s ‘0’ open locker. The whiteboard carried a message, unlike the other players, that read “ripcity runs deep”. The video ended with the message “Together Again”. Well, if you’re going to negotiate for weeks, you will get the time to make a cool video.

Damian Lillard also added a caption along with the attached video in the tweet, which read “RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! @trailblazers”.

Damian Lillard isn’t the only person happy about this shift. While Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t release a public statement celebrating his former teammate’s return, he did like the post Lillard put out on Instagram. Renowned sports reporter Rachel Nichols wrote, “Let’s. Go.” Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade responded to the news by commenting, “How it should be!”

Several people were in support of the return, while others questioned it. NBA reporter Alan Goldsher stated that Lillard’s arrival will cause the Portland Trail Blazers to “Have the Weirdest Roster”. Nevertheless, there is no denying this is a historical moment. Portland fans who missed out on seeing Lillard in a Blazers jersey will get the chance to catch it at games played over the next 3 years. Brace yourself, fans. ‘Dame Time’ is back on the clock!