Damian Lillard makes another blow, Bucks Nightmare worse

Damian Lillard's return to the Portland Trail Blazers is undoubtedly a worse news for the Milwaukee Bucks.

As Damian Lillard agrees to return to the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million contract, he announces his cousin’s official return to the City of Tear. The nine-time NBA All-Star has left fans with countless unforgettable moments of watching watches in 11 seasons of playing for the Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, Trail Blazers fans will have to wait until the 2026-27 season to witness Lillard's return debut. Last season, he tore his Achilles tendon in the first round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers and is expected to miss the entire new season.

Although it is not yet certain whether Lillard can recreate his past success in Portland, it is undoubtedly a new expectation for the rebuilding pioneers. The Trail Blazers achieved a record of 36 wins and 46 losses last season, and were only 3 games away from the playoff qualification in the Western Conference.

Lillard is not the only former Bucks player to join the Trail Blazers. Former Bucks guard Ju Holiday will also wear the Trail Blazers' jersey after being traded by the Boston Celtics. The two will not only become teammates, but also dramatic: in 2023, Holiday was sent to the Trail Blazers as a trading chip in exchange for Lillard, and then he was traded to the Boston Celtics. Now, the Bucks are watching two former core players join the same team. What's even more murderous is that the Blazers also hold the Bucks' first-round draft pick in 2029 and the two draft picks swap rights in 2028 and 2030.

For the Bucks, Lillard's return is simply a nightmare. There have been rumors recently that Antetokounmpo, the Bucks star, is not satisfied with the team's decision to sack Lillard, and the outside world generally believes that this will lead to his possibility of leaving the team.

Although the Bucks introduce Miles Turner in the offseason, if Antetokounmpo leaves the team, the Bucks' offseason plan will completely collapse. Even if Antetokounmpo stays in the team, their competitiveness in the East will be greatly reduced next season, because the team's backcourt depth is seriously insufficient. The Bucks are currently expected to start backcourt combinations to Kevin Porter Jr and Gary Trent Jr.

Although the Trail Blazers are still in the reconstruction phase, Lillard's situation after his return is far more favorable than when he was with the Bucks. The Trail Blazers have young potential stocks such as Sheden Sharp, Toumani Kamara, Skut Henderson, Yang Hansen and Donovan Klingen, and Jeramy Grant and Deni Avdia can also serve as the starters, which makes the Trail Blazers' future bright.