How Will Damian Lillard’s Return Impact the Trail Blazers’ Young Core?
Damian Lillard is back with the Portland Trail Blazers, and the big question is: How will his return influence the team’s young players?
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Lillard is rejoining Portland on a three-year, $42 million deal. After spending 11 seasons with the Blazers, earning seven All-Star selections, and cementing his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats, Lillard briefly played in Milwaukee alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, his time in Milwaukee was short-lived and ended prematurely due to an Achilles injury.
Now, following a surprising waiver and the freedom to choose his next destination, Lillard has decided to return to Portland, a city where he’s always been the face of the franchise. The move makes sense for both sides, as Portland is positioning itself for future success, recently adding veteran Jrue Holiday to bolster the lineup.
However, this shift in focus from rebuilding to aiming for a more competitive stance raises questions about how Lillard’s return could affect the Blazers’ young core. The team had been focusing on developing its promising prospects, such as Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, and Yang Hansen.
In the short term, Lillard’s impact on the younger players will likely be minimal on the court. He is expected to sit out the entire 2025-26 season while rehabbing his injury. Instead of playing, Lillard will probably work off-court, mentoring the team’s young guards, teaching them what it takes to succeed in the NBA. His wealth of experience should prove to be invaluable for players like Henderson, who could benefit the most from Lillard’s guidance.
Looking ahead, Lillard’s long-term return doesn’t appear to pose any major negative consequences for the young players either. He and Henderson primarily play the same position, but Lillard’s leadership and shooting ability could help elevate Henderson and other teammates like Clingan and Sharpe. While Lillard’s Achilles injury may impact his return to stardom, there’s a chance he could adapt, sharing responsibilities with Henderson or even taking on a two-guard role, especially given his deadly three-point shooting.
Ultimately, Lillard’s return is a solid move for the Blazers. It brings back the face of their franchise, offers valuable mentorship to their young players, and provides the potential for on-court contributions when he returns to full health.
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