Like Damian Lillard, these NBA stars returned to their beloved franchise
Damian Lillard has made his return to the Portland Trail Blazers official with a three-year, $42 million contract. After spending his first 11 NBA seasons in Oregon, the 35-year-old point guard returns to the franchise where he holds the scoring record with 19,376 points. Portland had traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 2023-2024 season, where he averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds over two seasons.
RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/x3jnZr1s0G
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 17, 2025
The Achilles tendon injury suffered during the 2025 playoffs first round marked a turning point. Milwaukee released Lillard in July to sign Myles Turner, paving the way for this homecoming long hoped for by Blazers fans.
LeBron James, the model of triumphant return
Dame isn’t the first to experience this second chance. LeBron James remains the gold standard for successful comebacks. After seven seasons with Cleveland (2003-2010), the King left the Cavaliers for Miami during the famous Decision. Four years later, he announced his return in a resounding essay, promising to bring a title to his hometown.
Mission accomplished in 2016 against the Golden State Warriors, in one of the most memorable Finals in NBA history. James had thus erased the disappointment of his publicized departure and reconciled an entire city with its prodigal son.
Legends returning to finish their story
Dwyane Wade also experienced this scenario in Miami. After 13 seasons with the Heat and three NBA titles, Flash joined Chicago in 2016 before a brief stint in Cleveland. His return to Florida in February 2018 allowed him to end his career as a hero, in the sixth man role before an adoring crowd.
Kevin Garnett chose a similar approach with Minnesota. After winning his title in Boston in 2008, KG returned to the Timberwolves in 2015 to pass on his experience to young Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The franchise’s only MVP thus came full circle where it all began.
Allen Iverson, another 2000s legend, also returned to Philadelphia in 2009 after stints in Denver, Detroit, and Memphis. The Answer only played 25 games, but the Sixers fans’ welcome demonstrated the unwavering love between a player and his city.
These returns prove that some love stories between players and franchises transcend purely sporting or economic aspects, creating lasting emotional bonds that withstand time and trades.
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