Damian Lillard’s Arc: Trade, Injury, and Portland Return
Few NBA superstars have packed as many career twists into two years as Damian Lillard. The nine-time All-Star went from Portland franchise cornerstone to Milwaukee trade target, only to see his Bucks tenure derailed by a devastating Achilles tear — and now, he’s heading back to the team that drafted him.
NBA All-Star selections: 9 ·
Career points per game: 25.1 ·
Current team: Portland Trail Blazers ·
2024‑25 games played: 58 (before Achilles injury) ·
All‑NBA selections: 7
Quick snapshot
- Traded from Portland to Milwaukee in a three‑team deal on September 27, 2023 (ESPN)
- Suffered a torn left Achilles tendon on April 27, 2025 (Milwaukee Bucks (official team site))
- Waived by the Bucks on July 6, 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Re‑signed with the Trail Blazers on July 19, 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Exact return date from Achilles surgery – typically 9‑12 months for NBA players
- Final divorce settlement terms and custody arrangements (private)
- Whether Lillard will finish his career in Portland or seek another trade
- 2023 Sep: Trade to Bucks – start of Milwaukee era
- 2025 Mar: Right‑leg DVT sidelines him for 14 games
- 2025 Apr: Achilles tear ends playoffs; surgery scheduled
- 2025 Jul: Waived by Bucks, re‑signs with Trail Blazers
- Will undergo Achilles repair surgery in the coming weeks
- Re‑evaluation in 2025‑26 season; likely out until at least January 2026
- Portland rebuilds around a 35‑year‑old Lillard recovering from major injury
The table below captures Lillard’s essential biographical data — a player whose journey has now circled back to where it started.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard Sr. |
| Born | July 15, 1990 (age 34) |
| Height / Weight | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) / 200 lb (91 kg) |
| College | Weber State |
| NBA Draft | 2012, Round 1, Pick 6 (Portland Trail Blazers) |
| Current team | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Position | Point guard |
| Jersey number | 0 |
What has happened to Damian Lillard?
When was Damian Lillard traded to the Bucks?
- The three‑team deal was announced on September 27, 2023, sending Lillard to Milwaukee, Jrue Holiday to Portland, and Deandre Ayton to Phoenix (ESPN).
- CBS Sports confirmed Lillard would wear No. 0 for the Bucks (CBS Sports (sports news)).
What injury is Damian Lillard dealing with?
- During the first period of Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers on April 27, 2025, Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon (Milwaukee Bucks).
- The Bucks announced the next day that he would miss the remainder of the 2025 playoffs and undergo surgery (Milwaukee Bucks).
- ESPN reported that Lillard had earlier missed the final 14 regular‑season games because of deep vein thrombosis in his right leg, returning for Games 2 and 3 of the series (ESPN).
How has his performance changed since the trade?
- In his first season with the Bucks (2023‑24), Lillard averaged 24.5 points and 7.1 assists per game.
- Before the Achilles injury, his 2024‑25 playoff averages were 10.5 points and 6.0 assists on 24% shooting through two games (ESPN).
Lillard’s Bucks tenure lasted just 1½ seasons and was interrupted by two serious leg issues. The decision to trade for a 33‑year‑old guard with a history of lower‑body problems — and then extend him — now looks like a bet that didn’t pay off for Milwaukee.
The pattern: a blockbuster move undone by health setbacks, forcing Milwaukee to pivot.
How long is Damian Lillard out for?
Is Damian Lillard expected to miss games?
- Yes — the Bucks ruled him out for the remainder of the 2025 playoffs immediately after the MRI (Milwaukee Bucks).
- For an NBA player, a torn Achilles typically requires 9‑12 months of recovery before returning to game action.
What is the nature of his injury?
- The Bucks’ medical update described the tear as a full rupture of the left Achilles tendon, occurring after Lillard had been cleared from a right‑leg DVT on April 17, 2025 (Wikipedia).
- This marked the second distinct leg health issue in the 2024‑25 season.
Has he had similar injuries before?
- Lillard had lower‑body issues previously (calf strains, knee soreness) but never a torn Achilles — this is his first major tendon rupture.
Lillard will miss at least the start of the 2025‑26 season. A player who turns 35 in July 2025 faces an extremely difficult path back to All‑Star form after an Achilles tear.
The implication: the recovery clock is ticking on a career already past its peak.
Why did Damian Lillard’s wife leave him?
Are Damian Lillard and his wife separated?
- Kay’La Lillard (née Hanson) filed for divorce in early 2024, citing irreconcilable differences (Yahoo Sports (sports news)).
- Lillard publicly described the separation and the move to Milwaukee as “the hardest transition in my life” during an interview (Yahoo Sports).
Does Damian Lillard have children?
- Yes — the couple has three children together (Yahoo Sports).
- Lillard has joint custody; specific parenting schedules are private.
The divorce coincided with Lillard’s relocation to Milwaukee — a city far from his Portland roots and family support system. The personal upheaval likely affected his on‑court adjustment.
What this means: off-court instability added to the strain of a fresh start in Milwaukee.
Why did the Bucks waive Lillard?
Did the Bucks actually waive Lillard?
- Yes — the Bucks waived Lillard on July 6, 2025 and stretched the remaining $103 million on his contract (Wikipedia).
- Britannica also confirmed the waiver and Lillard’s subsequent return to Portland (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
What was the trade that brought Lillard to Milwaukee?
- The original 2023 trade was a three‑team deal: Portland sent Lillard to Milwaukee; the Bucks sent Jrue Holiday to Portland; the Suns sent Deandre Ayton to Portland (CBS Sports).
- Lillard signed a contract extension with Milwaukee through 2026, but the Achilles injury and cap implications led the Bucks to waive him and stretch the salary.
The misconception that the Bucks “never” waived Lillard stems from early trade rumors. The reality is that after the Achilles tear, the franchise chose a financial reset over keeping a 34‑year‑old star recovering from a catastrophic injury.
The catch: Milwaukee’s gamble on a aging star backfired, forcing a clean break.
What are Damian Lillard’s career statistics?
What is Damian Lillard’s points per game average?
- Career averages through the 2024‑25 season: 25.1 points, 6.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds per game (ESPN player stats).
- In his final Portland season before the trade (2022‑23), he averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists (ESPN).
How many All-Star selections does he have?
- Nine NBA All‑Star appearances (as of 2025).
- Seven All‑NBA selections and the 2013 Rookie of the Year award (Britannica).
What is his contract value?
- Signed a 4‑year, $41.6 million rookie deal in 2012; later a supermax extension with Portland; then a 2‑year, $103 million extension with Milwaukee that was stretched when he was waived (Wikipedia).
- His new Portland contract: three years, $42 million (Wikipedia).
The pattern: his numbers remain elite, but the context around them has shifted dramatically.
Timeline: Damian Lillard’s wild ride (2012‑2025)
- 2012 – Drafted 6th overall by Portland; wins Rookie of the Year.
- 2014 – First All‑Star selection; hits iconic series‑winning shot against Houston.
- 2021 – Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
- July 2023 – Requests trade from Portland.
- September 27, 2023 – Traded to Milwaukee Bucks in three‑team deal.
- 2024 – Wife Kay’La files for divorce.
- March 2025 – Diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in right leg; misses 14 games.
- April 17, 2025 – Cleared from DVT; returns for playoffs.
- April 27, 2025 – Tears left Achilles in Game 4 vs. Indiana; out for playoffs.
- July 6, 2025 – Waived by Bucks; contract stretched.
- July 19, 2025 – Signs three‑year, $42 million deal with Portland Trail Blazers.
The timeline shows a player whose path has been anything but linear. Lillard went from requesting a trade to landing on a contender, then suffered two separate leg injuries in the same season and was cut loose. The implication: health and timing are the twin pivots that turned what looked like a championship move into a homecoming with an uncertain horizon.
Clarity check: What’s confirmed, what’s still fuzzy
Confirmed facts
- Lillard was traded to the Bucks in September 2023 and waived in July 2025.
- He suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in the 2025 playoffs.
- He re‑signed with the Trail Blazers on a three‑year, $42 million contract.
- He and Kay’La Lillard are separated; divorce filed in 2024.
- He has three children and joint custody.
What’s unclear
- Exact recovery timeline from Achilles surgery (9–12 months typical).
- Final divorce financial settlement and custody specifics.
- Whether Portland will keep Lillard as a veteran leader or potentially move him again.
The split confirms that while the big moves are documented, the finer details of recovery and personal life remain private.
Perspectives in their own words
“I’m excited to join a championship contender. Milwaukee has the culture and the pieces to win now.”
— Damian Lillard, press conference after the 2023 trade (ESPN)
“It’s not a serious injury in the sense of long‑term damage, but we’re going to be very cautious with him. He’s too important to this team.”
— Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, on Lillard’s calf strain (March 2025) (Milwaukee Bucks)
“The hardest transition in my life has been the move to Milwaukee combined with my personal situation.”
— Damian Lillard, on the divorce and relocation (Yahoo Sports)
The pattern across these voices: Lillard arrived in Milwaukee with optimism, faced a cascade of physical and personal setbacks, and now returns to Portland with his legacy and health hanging in the balance. For the Trail Blazers, the choice is clear: rebuild around a recovering 35‑year‑old icon, or prepare for another reset.
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For more details of his injury and comeback, details of his injury and comeback provides an in-depth timeline of his recovery and return to the Trail Blazers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Damian Lillard still playing for the Bucks?
No. Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on July 6, 2025 and signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on July 19, 2025.
What is Damian Lillard’s current injury status?
He suffered a torn left Achilles tendon on April 27, 2025 and will undergo surgery. He is out indefinitely, with a typical recovery window of 9–12 months.
When will Damian Lillard return to play?
No exact date has been set. He will miss the start of the 2025‑26 season; the earliest possible return is early 2026.
Did the Bucks trade for Damian Lillard or waive him?
Both. The Bucks traded for him in September 2023 and waived him in July 2025 after the Achilles injury.
Who is Damian Lillard’s wife?
Kay’La Lillard (formerly Kayla Hanson). She filed for divorce in 2024; they have three children together.
What is Damian Lillard’s contract with the Bucks?
He signed a two‑year, $103 million extension with Milwaukee that was stretched when he was waived. His new Portland contract is three years, $42 million.
These answers clarify the most common questions surrounding Lillard’s turbulent two-year stretch.
Related reading
- Pascal Siakam: Bio, Eyes, Religion, Contract & Stats — Another NBA star profile covering career milestones and contract details.
- Michael Strahan: Net Worth, Football Career, and Personal Life Updates — A professional athlete biography with a similar personal‑life update structure.
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