Following his torn left Achilles tendon in the first round of the playoffs, the Bucks stunned the NBA by waiving and stretching the remaining $113 million on Lillard’s contract over the next five years. This move created the necessary cap space for Milwaukee to sign Myles Turner.

Monday marked the return of Portland’s favorite son, as Lillard met with the media to discuss an earlier-than-anticipated homecoming. Last week, the nine-time All-Star announced he was returning to the Rose City two years after requesting a trade that took him 2,000 miles from the only NBA home he’d ever known.

In the end, Damian Lillard found his way home and it didn't take long to feel good about his decision. Lillard finalized a three-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend, returning to the franchise he spent 11 years with before asking for a trade in 2023.