Lillard requested a trade out of Portland in 2023, with the Heat being his preferred destination. However, he was ultimately dealt to Milwaukee in a blockbuster three team trade that would give Giannis Antetokounmpo another top player to play with.

After signing a three-year, $45 million deal to return to the Blazers, Lillard said "it never felt right, not being home.”

Damian Lillard confirmed that his contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers was "officially signed" in a social media post on Saturday.