Injured All-Star guard returns to Portland as franchise rebuilds around familiar faces

Lillard Agrees to New Contract with Portland

Damian Lillard is headed back to Portland.

The nine-time NBA All-Star has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. The deal includes a rare no-trade clause and a player option for the 2027–28 season, securing Lillard’s return to the franchise where he became a superstar.

With the new agreement, Lillard becomes just the second active NBA player with a true no-trade clause—joining LeBron James. Bradley Beal previously held one before finalizing a buyout with the Phoenix Suns earlier this week.

Franchise and Star Reunite After Major Trade

Lillard, 35, was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 in a deal that sent Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara to Portland. After one season and a devastating Achilles injury, the Bucks waived Lillard earlier this month, stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract to make room for free-agent signing Myles Turner.

In recent weeks, Trail Blazers management, including GM Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups, met with Lillard to explore a possible reunion. According to sources, both sides prioritized reuniting in Portland, where Lillard’s family and children live.

Despite receiving multiple offers from playoff contenders, including midlevel and veteran minimum contracts, Lillard chose to return to the team that drafted him in 2012.

Injury and Rehab Timeline

Lillard tore his left Achilles in Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in April and underwent surgery in May. He is expected to sit out the 2025–26 season to recover, though his contract with Portland continues through at least 2027 with an opt-out option.

The financial structure of his deal reflects prior obligations to Milwaukee, resulting in a combined salary of $70 million in 2025–26 and $141 million over the next two seasons.

Trail Blazers Roster Taking Shape

Portland’s front office has been active in reshaping the roster since Lillard’s initial departure. Following trades involving Jrue Holiday and others, the Blazers have now reacquired both Lillard and Holiday this offseason.

The team’s core now includes:

• Damian Lillard
• Jrue Holiday
• Robert Williams III
• Malcolm Brogdon
• Deni Avdija
• Toumani Camara
• A 2029 first-round pick
• Two Bucks pick swaps

The Blazers ended last season on a strong 22–18 run and ranked in the NBA’s top five in overall defense and third in transition defense during that stretch, according to ESPN Research.

Lillard’s Legacy in Portland

Before his brief time in Milwaukee, Lillard spent 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, earning seven All-NBA honors and leading the franchise to eight playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019.

He holds the Trail Blazers’ all-time record in points (19,376) and 3-pointers (2,387), and ranks second in assists (5,151). Remarkably, he has scored 55 or more points in seven games with the franchise—more than any other player in team history.

Lillard’s return signals more than a comeback from injury; it marks a homecoming for one of Portland’s most beloved athletes as both he and the franchise look to write their next chapter together.

Source:  ESPN – Damian Lillard reaches deal to return to Trail Blazers

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Former NBA shooting guard Ben McLemore has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison following his conviction for raping a 21-year-old woman at a private party in Oregon in 2021. The case marks a stunning legal downfall for the former lottery pick, once seen as one of the most promising prospects in professional basketball.

Clackamas County Judge Issues 100-Month Prison Term

Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Michael Wetzel handed down the 100-month sentence on Wednesday after a jury last week found the 32-year-old guilty on three felony counts: rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and sexual abuse. He was acquitted of a second sexual abuse charge.

The assault took place at a party hosted in Lake Oswego, a Portland suburb, at the home of McLemore’s then-teammate, Robert Covington. At the time, both players were members of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Victim Testifies She Was Too Intoxicated to Consent

During the trial, prosecutors argued that McLemore engaged in sexual activity with the victim while she was incapacitated from alcohol consumption and unable to give consent. The woman took the stand and testified that she had no recollection of the sexual encounter until later being informed by others.

McLemore admitted to having sex with the woman but claimed it was consensual, despite acknowledging that both had been drinking heavily at the party. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution’s argument that the encounter constituted rape under Oregon law due to the victim’s intoxication and inability to consent.

The case drew attention for its complexity, hinging not on physical evidence or witness testimony of force, but on the legal definition of consent and impairment due to alcohol — a growing focal point in sexual assault law.

NBA Career and Rapid Rise to Fame

Ben McLemore first gained national attention as a standout player at the University of Kansas, where his athleticism and shooting ability made him a projected top-10 pick. In 2013, the Sacramento Kings selected him seventh overall in the NBA Draft.

Over nearly a decade in the league, McLemore played for multiple teams including the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Portland Trail Blazers. While he never fully lived up to his draft-day expectations, he carved out a solid role as a perimeter shooter and bench contributor.

His final NBA season was with Portland during the 2021–2022 campaign — the same year the sexual assault took place. After that, McLemore transitioned to international leagues, signing short-term contracts with professional teams in China, Turkey, and various European countries.

From Court to Courtroom: A Career Derailed

The sentencing caps a fall from grace for a player once celebrated for his poise and potential. While McLemore’s NBA career had already appeared to be winding down, the conviction effectively ends any remaining prospects of returning to the league or signing lucrative contracts overseas.

Though Clackamas County prosecutors did not push for the maximum possible sentence, they emphasized that justice for the victim — whose identity is protected under law — remained the priority.

Legal experts note that the case reflects broader cultural and judicial shifts in how consent is evaluated, especially in situations involving alcohol and high-profile defendants.

Public and Legal Reactions

The Portland Trail Blazers have not issued a public comment regarding McLemore’s conviction or sentencing. Nor has the NBA. However, advocates for sexual assault survivors have applauded the outcome, calling it a rare example of accountability for a professional athlete accused of sexual violence.

McLemore’s defense team has not announced whether they plan to appeal the conviction.

The case adds to a growing list of former athletes facing criminal charges after their playing careers, spotlighting the intersection of fame, power, and the criminal justice system.

Source: AP News – Ex-NBA player Ben McLemore sentenced to over 8 years in prison for rape

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