Damian Lillard’s unexpected return to the Portland Trail Blazers can be traced to a private discussion in January 2024 between his agent, Aaron Goodwin, and Portland general manager Joe Cronin, according to ESPN.
The meeting, held during Lillard’s first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, addressed the communication breakdown that surrounded his 2023 trade request to the Miami Heat. Both sides agreed there was no lingering animosity, clearing a path for future talks.
Lillard had asked to be dealt to Miami in the summer of 2023, but when no deal materialized by September, Goodwin informed Portland that the All-Star guard was willing to stay. Days before training camp, Cronin instead sent Lillard to Milwaukee.
“It was miscommunications and misunderstandings,” Lillard told ESPN. “Joe and I never talked about a potential return. I think that was the mistake.”
Milwaukee contemplated other options for Lillard even before he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the playoffs. A trade was under consideration if the roster fit did not develop, with the aim of adding another elite player alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. After the injury, the Bucks waived Lillard and employed the stretch provision to create space that was later used to sign free-agent center Myles Turner.
Imagem: Getty via hoopswire.com
Cronin traveled to Lillard’s home after the waiver to gauge his recovery and outlook. During that visit, Lillard expressed enthusiasm for Portland’s rebuilding efforts, leading to a three-year, $42 million agreement that brought him back to the franchise where he spent his first 11 NBA seasons.
The 34-year-old is expected to sit out the entire 2025-26 campaign while rehabbing but intends to resume his career in 2026-27. “I know the desire and the fight,” Goodwin said. “This isn’t going to shut down his career; it might even extend it.”
Source: Hoops Wire
