The Portland Trail Blazers are thrilled to have Damian Lillard back in uniform. They signed him to a three-year deal worth $42 million after he was shockingly waived by the Bucks in early July. <\/p>\n
Lillard won’t play at all next year as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in the playoffs against the Pacers. He is focusing all of his energy on returning in 2026-27.<\/p>\n
Portland is fully expecting Lillard to be back as good as ever in that season, although doubts linger about whether he can. One former Portland coach has no doubts he’s still going to be elite.<\/p>\n
More news: Blazers Forward Predicted to Be In Contention For Major End of Season Award<\/a><\/p>\n One former Trail Blazers coach still has faith in Lillard to return as a great point guard next season. David Vanterpool was an assistant with the Blazers from 2012-19, and he has no concerns with Lillard. He said so while talking to B Scoop<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The fact that he wants to be there where he wants to be and he\u2019s in a space where he wants to be and come back from that Achilles injury that people don\u2019t believe that he might not be able to do at that age. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s ever a thought for him. I know it\u2019s not.”<\/p>\n Vanterpool reiterated that he’s not the only one who has faith in Lillard returning to form once he’s healthy.<\/p>\n “I knew what he thought exactly when it happened and I had this conversation and I don\u2019t expect anything less than that. So everyone\u2019s expecting him to come back as the Damian Lillard that they always knew was him.”<\/p>\n