Eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard, who has been with the Milwaukee Bucks since demanding a trade to a club with at least marginal title aspirations last summer, still loves Portland, home of the team that drafted him with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA draft.
The former Trail Blazers great explained his enduring ties to the region in a new conversation with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“The biggest thing is I still live here,” Lillard revealed. “Obviously, I got traded and I’m in Milwaukee. I’ve told a lot of people I love the Milwaukee organization, I love the opportunity, but I think any time you build something like I’ve built my life here, you build roots and you build all these connections and bonds with people. I make sure I never lose touch with those things.”
Lillard spoke with Owczarski while working out at the Beaverton Hoop YMCA, alongside Bucks assistant coaches Donovan Ham and Rex Kalamian. Lillard was also in town to oversee his 11th annual camp, which was held in late July. His young family is also still based in Portland.
In his first season in Milwaukee, the 6-foot-2 veteran, now 34, played 73 games for the Bucks (49-33). Alongside Milwaukee power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lillard saw his usage understandably decline. He averaged 24.3 points on a .424/.354/.920 batting average, 7.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 steal per night.
“There’s been a lot of changes, a lot of stress, you know?” Lillard said of his first year in Milwaukee. “I think now I have an opportunity to get myself back on track and start moving forward into next season.”
Lillard had a miserable last two seasons in Portland under new head coach Chauncey Billups and with a subpar supporting cast. The Trail Blazers went a combined 60-104 from 2021-23. Clearly, Lillard wanted to get back to the playoffs — a place Portland doesn’t seem likely to go anytime soon.
After going 21-61 in their first season without Lillard, the Blazers are in danger of missing the playoffs again in 2025. The club is planning for the future and has already made plans for the future. With their last three lottery picks all 21 or younger, the Trail Blazers remain more of a project than a finished product.
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