Early 2024 Meeting Paved Way for Damian Lillard’s Return to Portland
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Damian Lillard’s second stint with the Trail Blazers can be traced back to a conversation between his agent, Aaron Goodwin, and Portland general manager Joe Cronin in January 2024, ESPN’s Jamal Collier reported. The two acknowledged communication gaps that had surfaced during Lillard’s 2023 trade request and agreed that no lasting animosity remained.
Lillard had asked to be dealt to the Heat in the summer of 2023. When that move stalled by September, Goodwin informed the Blazers his client was prepared to stay. Portland’s front office, eager to settle the issue before training camp, sent the seven-time All-Star to the Bucks instead. “More than anything, it was miscommunications and misunderstandings,” Lillard said. “Joe and I never talked about a potential return … that was the mistake.”
The veteran guard still viewed Portland as the place he would finish his career. An opportunity to reunite arose after he tore his Achilles during the 2024-25 playoffs. Milwaukee subsequently waived him and used the stretch provision, creating cap room that helped the Bucks sign free-agent center Myles Turner.
Before waiving Lillard, Milwaukee had weighed trading him if he remained healthy, exploring ways to secure another star alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to Collier.
Once on the open market, Lillard accepted a three-year, $42 million contract to rejoin the Blazers. Cronin visited Lillard’s Portland home, checked on his rehabilitation progress and outlined the organization’s rebuilding plans. Lillard told Cronin he believed the team was trending upward, and the sides reached an agreement soon afterward.
Imagem: Trevor Ruszkowski via hoopsrumors.com
The 35-year-old is expected to spend the entire 2025-26 season rehabbing. Goodwin is confident in his client’s recovery. “It’s Dame,” the agent said. “I know the desire, the fight, how hard he works. I didn’t see this as something that would shut down his career—maybe even prolong it because he goes so hard he needs to give his body a break.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
