Damian Lillard, 35, returned to the Portland Trail Blazers in July and signed a three-year contract. In a recent interview, Damian Lillard said that he hopes to be his old self when he returns to the court.

Damian Lillard joined the Portland Trail Blazers through the 2012 draft until he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in September 2023.

In the 2024/25 NBA season, Damian Lillard played 58 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 24.9 points and 37.6% from three-point range. However, Damian Lillard suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon and only played three games for the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs.

Damian Lillard, who is still in the recovery process, said, "I will take it step by step to make sure I am fully recovered and strong enough, and to build confidence mentally. I want to restore my body to the best condition so that when I return to the court, I am not an incomplete self. I plan to return to the court, that is, the original me."

"The speed of the game has become so high, and you're playing against top players. The frequency of training, the frequency of our matches and travel, the constant changes of direction and stops, and the intensity of our competition, it's really taxing on the body."

When discussing his return to the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard shared, "It's been awesome. I'm not one to be outwardly expressive, but being here at this stage of my adult life, with the ages of the kids and where the organization is at, it just feels right. It's just a blessing, and I couldn't be happier."