The Portland Trail Blazers might’ve pulled off the quietest heist of the offseason - and the league is only starting to catch on. Damian Lillard hasn’t played a single game this year, still rehabbing from a torn Achilles, but his recent 3-Point Contest win sent a loud, unmistakable message: Dame’s still got it.
Yes, it was surprising to see him enter the contest given he hasn’t suited up this season. But the result?
Not surprising at all. Lillard walked away with the trophy - again - tying NBA legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges with his third 3-Point Contest title.
He now has a chance to stand alone atop that leaderboard next year. But for Portland, this moment was about more than a trophy.
It was a sign that their franchise icon still has one of the league’s most dangerous jumpers.
And that’s huge. Because even if Lillard isn’t the same guy who used to break double-teams and pull up from the logo, his shooting alone changes the equation for this Blazers roster.
He might not be blowing by defenders or hitting stepbacks off the dribble just yet - and maybe not ever again at the same volume - but as a catch-and-shoot threat? He’s already showing he can still be elite.
And considering the Blazers locked him in on a three-year, $42 million deal - that’s an absolute bargain.
Let’s put that into perspective. Portland has already managed to scrape together 27 wins this season despite being near the bottom of the league in two critical areas: turnovers and three-point shooting.
Lillard helps both. He’s a steady hand who can take care of the ball, and his presence alone stretches the floor for everyone else.
That’s the kind of impact you can’t measure just with box score stats.
Now, expectations have to be realistic. Lillard is 35, and a torn Achilles isn’t something you just bounce back from overnight.
He may not return as the primary engine of the offense - and that’s okay. Even in a secondary role, his gravity as a shooter and his leadership in the locker room make him an invaluable piece for a young team trying to find its identity.
And here’s where the deal gets even sweeter for Portland. Lillard is currently their fourth-highest-paid player, earning $14.1 million this season - a year he’s not even playing.
That’s thanks in part to the Bucks, who are still paying out the remainder of his previous $113 million contract via the stretch provision. Meanwhile, Portland gets to keep Dame close to home, rehabbing near family, and locked in with a rare no-trade clause that ensures he’s not just a short-term rental.
From the team’s perspective, it’s almost like they front-loaded the contract: pay a modest amount now, and reap the rewards over the next two seasons. That timeline just so happens to align perfectly with the development curve of Portland’s young core. As those players grow into their roles and push toward playoff contention, they’ll have a future Hall of Famer alongside them - one who knows the city, the franchise, and what it takes to win.
Yes, Lillard will be 37 by the time his player option comes up in 2027-28. But let’s be honest - shooting is the last thing to fade in a player’s game. And if that 3-Point Contest was any indication, Lillard’s still one of the best in the world at doing just that.
So while other teams were making splashy moves this offseason, the Blazers made a subtle one - and it might end up being the most impactful. They bet on Dame. And if his jumper is any indication, that bet is already paying off.