Bucks Zone

Damian Lillard says he's "excited" for the next chapter of his career

Dame time finally bid farewell to Portland.

Jonas Panerio

© Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
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While he didn’t land at the place he sought to go to when he expressed his trade request in July, many-time All-Star Damian Lillard nonetheless expressed his excitement at joining the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lillard had wanted to be traded to the Miami Heat this offseason after seeing the Portland Trail Blazers lean into a youth movement by drafting Scoot Henderson second overall instead of flipping the pick for win-now assets. Lillard now bids goodbye to the only franchise he’s played for in his 11-year career.

Bittersweet moment

The Blazers selected the former Weber State star sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard hit the ground running, averaging 19.0 points and 6.5 assists in his first season, eventually winning the Rookie of the Year award. Over the next decade, Lillard tried to put the Blazers on his back, leading them to multiple playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019, where they got swept by the Golden State Warriors.

For all the memorable moments and eye-popping stats, Lillard’s individual performances didn’t translate to much team success for the Blazers, and he leaves the franchise with averages of 25.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in 769 games played for the franchise.

Farewell song

Lillard also dropped a new song, “Farewell,” after his trade to the Bucks. The song is a reflective track that touches on Lillard’s long-time relationship with the city of Portland and what it was like for him to depart.

“It's imperative not to believe the narrative, just know that what I left is better than what I inherited. In the future, I hope we greet with hugs and kisses, but you should know that they the ones who chose another mission,” Lillard said in the song.

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO