It’s both incredible and surreal that Damian Lillard is about to suit up for a new season in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform. Can you imagine if someone told you three years ago after Dame was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, that in 2026-27, Lillard would be back on the team with both Jrue Holiday and Ja Morant? Oh, and that Scoot Henderson, the player drafted to backfill Lillard’s spot, would also still be here trying to live up to his pre-draft hype? It’s a wild scenario how all roads have led to this.
Lillard has all new teammates (sans Shaedon Sharpe) who know of his legend, but have never shared the court with him for an NBA regular season. Portland desperately needed to add a three-point threat, a dependable ball handler and passer, and also someone who could be trusted late in games. Dame brings that in spades. So today we ask…
**_Kevin Lawler:_** Making the actual all-star game may be a stretch, as I suspect the organization will monitor his health closely, rest him during brutal early-season stretches of the schedule, and hold him out of a few back-to-backs. But given his track record and work ethic, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lillard has a few more All-Star seasons left, whether or not he makes the team this year.
**_Adrian Bernecich:_** We forget how excited we are in early October, but how quickly that can evaporate by the end of the month. Dame is a competitor and if anyone was going to bounce back, I put my money on him.
**_Josh Fisher_**: I don’t think he’ll be an all-star, but I think he’ll be able to produce at the same level he did two years ago when he averaged 25/4.5/7 per-36. Until he gives me reason otherwise, I’ll continue to believe in Dame.
**_Max Contract:_** If his calf doesn’t provide too many setbacks as he resumes the regular NBA grind, I think we’re looking at no worse than the team’s 2nd leading scorer. He’ll be the designated closer, and that’s a huge weapon for this team, as no one does it better in the clutch than “The Letter O.” Other than rehabbing hard, his body hasn’t had to take the wear and tear of playing, therefore, I think we’re going to see a spry and determined 36-year-old. A healthy Damian Lillard is an all-star caliber player until he isn’t. He doesn’t have to carry the load like the days of yore, but for opposing teams, a load he remains.
**_Paul Navarre:_** I won’t predict an elite, all-star-level offensive year, but I wouldn’t bet against Damian Lillard either. It remains to be seen if he can get to the rim like he used to, but his three-point contest win shows the man can still shoot, and his competitiveness hasn’t waned. I predict a very good year for Dame, just without the gaudy numbers of the past due largely to fewer nightly minutes and occasional days off.
A pretty a consistent theme through this panel: you bet against Dame at your own peril. He looks great, and clearly still has his deep ball, and it might become a bigger weapon than ever. The closer teams have to pick up Lillard after half court, the more space for Deni, Ja, and others to slice and dice their way to the rim. Defensively, we don’t need to rehash the concerns about Dame being a liability. On offense however, Dame is among a handful of special players capable of bending the game to his will, and you know he’s ready to show the world that he’s still a bad man.
What kind of offensive season do you think Dame has in his much anticipated return?
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* [Portland Trail Blazers Discussion](/trail-blazers-discussion-game-threads)