Playoffs have already revealed where Damian Lillard fits with new-era Blazers
When the Portland Trail Blazers signed Damian Lillard this previous offseason, the overall consensus is that it was an emotionally-driven reunion with the previous franchise participant. Lillard had solely not too long ago suffered a torn Achilles tendon and was extensively anticipated to overlook the 2025-26 season.
Although Lillard continues to be sidelined, the early phases of the postseason have already revealed how he fits with the new-era Blazers.
Lillard performed for Portland between 2012-13 and 2022-23, spending every of his 11 seasons because the group’s go-to perimeter scorer. It’s been three years since he final stepped onto the court docket for the Trail Blazers, nonetheless, and the roster is all however unrecognizable.
Just three years later, there are solely two gamers on the roster who beforehand performed with Lillard in Portland: Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe.
Three of the 4 full-time starters are contemporary faces, together with new franchise player Deni Avdija and inside anchor Donovan Clingan. Aside from Grant, your complete second unit is comprised of latest gamers whom Lillard will have to discover ways to play with, as nicely.
For as true as that every one could also be, the 2026 NBA Playoffs have already confirmed what Portland wants Lillard for: The very same factor he as soon as offered, solely with much less quantity.
Blazers want the previous Damian Lillard, even when it is a lower-volume function
It’s sadly unreasonable to count on Lillard to return to an All-NBA degree. He’ll be 36 by the point he performs his subsequent sport for the Trail Blazers, which might’ve been purpose sufficient to mood expectations over his capacity to run the offense as he as soon as did.
That’s made all of the extra difficult by the truth that a torn Achilles tendon is usually a career-altering, if not career-ending, harm—not to mention throughout a participant’s mid-30s.
For as true as that could be, Portland’s must align immediately with his ability set. The Trail Blazers ranked No. 28 in three-point area aim share through the 2025-26 common season and had been No. 26 in factors through guards per sport.
Lillard, in the meantime, is a profession 37.1 % shooter from past the arc who has scored a Hall of Fame worthy 25.1 factors per sport by means of 13 seasons.
Although it is bold to count on Lillard to attain with such quantity, he is a confirmed shooter and shot creator who can simplify the sport for these round him. It’s honest to consider he can nonetheless put factors on the board at a excessive sufficient degree to make issues simpler for Avdija, nonetheless, who was one of just two starters in double figures throughout Game 1 towards the San Antonio Spurs.
The offseason could but see the Trail Blazers enhance the roster, however Lillard’s place with the present core is obvious. Portland wants a lower-volume model of the participant he is all the time been.
