Cs want to sign Damian Lillard (But he's going back to POR)

[radiohead]

So Dame and Jrue are now teammates after basically being traded for each other.

[Vermont Green]

Well, he's returning to Portland.

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
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25s
BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old.

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
?
1m
Lillard now will have a 2025-26 set salary of $70M between his Portland and Milwaukee deals, and a salary of $141M over the next two years ahead of an opt-out in 2027. Blazers officials and Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management are finalizing terms this week.

Sure didn't see that coming.

[Chief]

Dumb $ spent by Portland. 

[ozgod]

Dodged a bullet. Pretty sure our offer wasn't anything near that 3y/42m with NTC.

[Roy H.]

Dodged a bullet. Pretty sure our offer wasn't anything near that 3y/42m with NTC.

I don't think we dodged a bullet, but yeah, we would have been in the 2 year, $12 million range.

[boscel33]

Dodged a bullet. Pretty sure our offer wasn't anything near that 3y/42m with NTC.

I don't think we dodged a bullet, but yeah, we would have been in the 2 year, $12 million range.

I agree, I don't think we dodged anything, I think after next year, he would have contributed to the team, but that's a lot of money for someone who is still getting paid and won't play for a year.

[Vermont Green]

POR seems to be going in circles.  For the 2025-26 season, they will have $25.6M for Ayton and $14.1M essentially as dead cap money. So it is clear they are not serious about this season.  And then after that they have an old big 3 of Lillard (36), Holiday (36), and Grant (32) at the start of 2026-27 season.  They gave Lillard a no trade clause, right?, so they aren't trading him.  Holiday and Grant may have some value between now and the deadline.  Why bring in Lillard if rebuilding.  Do they think they can win with Lillard, Holiday, and Grant in 2026-27?  Maybe win the lottery for the 2026 draft?

[Donoghus]

In the grand scheme of things, I think Lillard going back to Portland is a good thing.  He's obviously beloved there so its a homecoming and its kinda nice to see Portland rather than one of the usual suspects getting him.

[timpiker]

Every time I thought about the Lillard coming to Boston rumors I kept thinking of when 'Nique came to the C's.  They weren't good memories. 

[Donoghus]

Every time I thought about the Lillard coming to Boston rumors I kept thinking of when 'Nique came to the C's.  They weren't good memories.

That '94-95 roster was such an eclectic plethora of mediocre.  Quite the cast of characters.

'Nique, Dino, X-Man, Sherm, Rick Fox, Pervis, Dee Brown, etc...

[cons]

Every time I thought about the Lillard coming to Boston rumors I kept thinking of when 'Nique came to the C's.  They weren't good memories.

That '94-95 roster was such an eclectic plethora of mediocre.  Quite the cast of characters.

'Nique, Dino, X-Man, Sherm, Rick Fox, Pervis, Dee Brown, etc...

those names bring back good memories   winning championships isnt everything. those were fun times

portland seems incredibly stupid to do this
that much money for someone who is basically done?

how long till he demands a trade again??

[JBcat]

POR seems to be going in circles.  For the 2025-26 season, they will have $25.6M for Ayton and $14.1M essentially as dead cap money. So it is clear they are not serious about this season.  And then after that they have an old big 3 of Lillard (36), Holiday (36), and Grant (32) at the start of 2026-27 season.  They gave Lillard a no trade clause, right?, so they aren't trading him.  Holiday and Grant may have some value between now and the deadline.  Why bring in Lillard if rebuilding.  Do they think they can win with Lillard, Holiday, and Grant in 2026-27?  Maybe win the lottery for the 2026 draft?

I?m not sure if I would categorize those 3 as their big 3 in the 26/27 season. Grant for one thing is mostly an empty calories player. They also have Scoot and Sharpe and this will be a big season for both of them to really show what they might become. I?m still particularly high on Scoot.

It?s just an odd fit still with Jrue, Dame, Shaedan, and Scoot. I don?t think Shaedan can slide over to SF all that well making them smaller, more of a true SG. That will be interesting to see how that all shakes out.

[Moranis]

I actually like the Blazers. Not a contender, but even in west I think they could make the playoffs this year if the young guys make the normal jump young guys make.

Scoot, Sharpe, Advija, Grant, Clingan plus Jrue, Thybulle, Camara, RW3 with Hansen, Murray

Lots of young talent.  A .500 record certainly a realistic goal, especially how they closed last year.

[Phantom255x]

Portland wasn't far off from the play-in last year, and I also kind of think letting Ayton walk can be a good thing for them since he was clearly not that engaged and it might have trickled down to the young players. Not a great role model. Now they have Jrue, Lillard returning, etc. I think they'll be a play-in team this year

[johnnygreen]

I still believe Lillard was never a possibility for the Celtics.