Overview

• Damian Lillard reports being ahead of schedule in his recovery from a ruptured left Achilles tendon but says he will not rush back to competition.
• His three-year, $42 million deal guarantees stability through the 2026-27 season with a player option in 2027-28, enabling a cautious rehab timeline.
• A January 2024 conversation between agent Aaron Goodwin and GM Joe Cronin cleared up past miscommunications and laid the groundwork for his reunion in Portland.
• Lillard made clear that he never wanted to leave the Trail Blazers and prioritized returning home to be closer to his young children.
• Goodwin has criticized the Milwaukee system for not leveraging Lillard’s strengths, highlighting fit issues during his two seasons in Milwaukee.