Latest news with #PortlandTrailBlazers
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard on Yang Hansen: 'He got some swag to him'
'He got some swag to him.'Had to get @Dame_Lillard's thought on his new rookie teammate @Hans15Y after his official re-introductory press conference Damian Lillard was welcomed back to the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend, and the nine-time NBA All-Star is excited to get to work with the organization and his new teammates. Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on July 6, clearing the way for him to sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers on Saturday. He spent the past two seasons with the Bucks after playing the first 11 years of his career in Portland. The Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer is expected to miss the entire upcoming season to rehabilitate a torn left Achilles tendon sustained on April 27. He said at a press conference on Monday that he wants to take as much time as needed to ensure a full recovery on the court. Lillard watched the Trail Blazers from afar and believes they are poised to take another step forward, with a core featuring Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, among others. He is also intrigued with the addition of 7-footer Yang Hansen. "Watching him during summer league, I was like, 'This is a real player,'" Lillard told team reporter Casey Holdahl. "Especially with the way the league is now, with a lot of these bigs that teams use as a hub to play make and facilitate the offense at times. He got some swag to him, too. He got some stuff to him. I think that is good for a rookie, especially somebody coming over that is not from the United States." Yang logged four appearances in the NBA Summer League, averaging 10.8 points, five rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 blocks on 45.7% shooting from the field, including 33.3% from 3-point range. He scored in double figures three times, including a 15-point effort on July 15. The 16th pick established himself as one of the top international prospects with Qingdao in the CBA, the top professional league in China. He was an All-Star and All-CBA domestic first-team selection in each season, and was named the 2024 CBA Defensive Player of the Year. Yang is highly touted for his overall skill set and ability as a player who can work down low, space the floor and protect the paint. The organization has had him on its radar for the past two years and believes he can be a player who contributes at a high level on both sides of the court. Though Lillard won't play next year, his addition has created buzz around the team after the group went 23-18 to finish last season. Yang even honored Lillard by recreating his patented "Dame Time" celebration during a postgame interview last week. "He got some personality on him," Lillard said of Yang. "You can tell the way he plays and the way he goes about it, he has some real confidence."
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Blake Wesley signs with Portland Trail Blazers as sharpshooting guard gets fresh start
Blake Wesley signed with Portland Trail Blazers (Image via Instagram / @theblakewesley) According to league sources who spoke to Hoops Hype, Blake Wesley and the Portland Trail Blazers have reached an agreement on a one-year contract. In exchange for versatile big man Kelly Olynyk, the San Antonio Spurs traded the player to the Washington Wizards. To enter free agency before his fourth professional season, he later negotiated a buyout with the team. When guard depth and long-range scoring are top concerns, Blake Wesley, a versatile wing, can offer tenacious defense and intermittent perimeter sparks. On a team that also features veterans like Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, he brings a youthful energy. Portland adds depth and youth to backcourt with Blake Wesley signing The Portland Trail Blazers have signed a free agent shooting guard who finished the previous season with a strong 3-point game to add depth to their backcourt in 2025-2026. Shortly after this, the ESPN insider, Shams Charania , took to X to announce the news. He wrote on July 22: 'Free agent guard Blake Wesley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. The former Spurs first-round pick shot 37% on 3s in the second half of last season and now lands a new role in Portland…' With his buyout and new contract with the team, Blake Wesley will now reportedly make more money overall this season. Additionally, the ESPN insider also mentioned in another X post that he scored on 37% of his triple tries for the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of 2024-25. However, throughout his career, he has only shot 29.7 percent from long range on 1.1 triple tries. He only made an above-average number of triples once, in 2022–2023, when he made 38.5 percent of his 1.4 takes from a distance as a rookie. Blake Wesley was in San Antonio Spurs (Image via Instagram / @theblakewesley) Blake Wesley's new contract with Portland Trail Blazers has not yet been revealed, but it seems likely to be a veteran's minimum deal worth $2.38 million. One of the fifteen regular roster spots is filled by the signing. The NBA player also adds perimeter shooting and defensive toughness to the team's guard rotation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Urologists: Enlarged Prostate? Every Man Should Stop This 1 Habit! Prostate Health Journal Click Here Undo The basketball player is primed to make a big impact in Portland Trail Blazers' backcourt given his age and potential. He will probably earn role minutes behind the starters. Additionally, he is given a fresh start, as the team provides athletic wing depth. Also read: Is DeAndre Ayton leaving Portland Trail Blazers? His agent approached the team about a buy-out Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Damian Lillard revealed his daughter's adorable reaction after signing with Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard revealed his daughter's adorable reaction after signing with Portland Trail Blazers (Image Source: Getty Images) NBA star Damian Lillard just had a heartwarming moment go viral - not on the court, but at home with his daughter. After signing with the Portland Trail Blazers again, Lillard shared the sweet reaction his daughter had when she found out they weren't heading back to Milwaukee. Her innocent words left fans smiling - and gave a personal touch to one of this summer's biggest NBA returns. Damian Lillard shares adorable moment with daughter after rejoining Portland Trail Blazers NBA player Damian Lillard made public comments on an event with his small daughter on Sunday, July 21. Only hours after he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, he returned to the team where he played for more than ten years. The chat took place on a podcast episode of "It Is What It Is" and was subsequently published on X in a ClutchPoints clip. In the clip, Damian Lillard described how he told his daughter that they were no longer going back to Milwaukee, where he played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 NBA season. Her reaction was innocent and sweet - and it quickly caught fans' attention online. Damian Lillard breaks news to daughter at home after rejoining Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard explained that he was at home when he broke the news to his daughter after rejoining the Portland Trail Blazers on a new deal signed on Sunday morning, July 21. Speaking on 'It Is What It Is' hosted by Cam'ron and Mase, Lillard revealed his first words: 'My daughter was looking at me, and I told her. She was like, 'Wait, we don't have to get on the airplane to Milwaukee no more?'' After 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard left the team in 2023 and spent the final season with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he joined Giannis Antetokounmpo . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gleiten Sie in Ihre finanzielle Zukunft eToro Click Here Undo Portland, Oregon-based Blazers formally revealed Damian Lillard's return in a team press release available on their website. His comeback comes after months of conjecture following the Bucks' early defeat in the 2024 playoffs. In the interview, Lillard added that it felt 'right' to be back in Portland. 'Sometimes life just brings you full circle,' he said during the podcast. 'This is home.' His daughter, whose name was not shared in the clip, had grown used to flying between cities during his time in Milwaukee. Now, with her dad back in Portland full-time, she seemed happy to stay in one place. Also Read: Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry spotted marveling at Mac McClung's Dunk dominance Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
10 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
'Dame Time' Yet Again! Lillard Says He 'Never Felt Right' Not Being With Portland Trail Blazers
Last Updated: Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, including a no-trade clause. Recovering from Achilles surgery, he will miss the 2025-26 season. Damian Lillard finally was hit with a wave of realization after signing a new contract with the Portland Trail Blazers: he was coming home. Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the team where he spent the first 11 years of his NBA career. The contract includes a no-trade clause, and Lillard can opt out after the second season. 'Just knowing that I'm going to be back home for all parts of my life, with my kids, playing for the Trail Blazers, driving on the same streets that I've driven on pretty much my entire adulthood… all of those things count," Lillard said. 'I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon." Back in Portland, But Not Yet on the Court Although he's back with Portland, Lillard won't be suiting up right away. The 35-year-old guard tore his left Achilles tendon during the first round of the playoffs with the Milwaukee Bucks and underwent surgery. He's expected to miss the entire 2025–26 season. The Bucks waived Lillard earlier this month, stretching the $113 million remaining on his deal over five years. While Lillard didn't completely rule out a surprise return, Cronin made it clear: 'We'll wait as long as it takes." Lilard's History With The Blazers Lillard was drafted sixth overall by Portland in 2012 and quickly became the face of the franchise. He holds team records for points (19,376), three-pointers (2,387), and 60-point games (5). He also ranks 10th all-time in NBA history with a 71-point performance against Houston. The nine-time All-Star averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists for his career and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and was the NBA's Rookie of the Year in 2013. His final season in Portland saw him average a career-high 32.2 points before being traded at his request to the Bucks. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA legend Damian Lillard reveals why trade with Portland Trail Blazers was easier than expected
After a gut-wrenching Achilles injury that kept him out of almost every match, Damian Lillard was recently signed in for a blockbuster trade. Yes, that's correct, a three-year $42 million trade with the NBA's one of the finest teams, the Portland Trail Blazers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although there is a whole different theory about why this NBA legend wanted to return to his home, he has something else to say. Damian Lillard is a family man, and the only team that could take him at this point was the Portland Trail Blazers. The now-Trail Blazers star has scored some amazing points while he was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. However, due to a dreadful injury, he couldn't play the rest of the games. Here's what the former Bucks player has to say: Damian Lillard revealed that signing with Portland Trail Blazers was a no-brainer The Portland Trail Blazers have traded the former Milwaukee Bucks star, Damian Lillard, under a three-year, $42 million contract. He is expected to miss out on the entire 2025-26 season due to his left leg Achilles injury. But that doesn't seem to stop this NBA star, as now he has returned to his home. With this homecoming, fans are expecting him to make an extraordinary comeback. 'Usually when I have to make a decision, I put a lot of thought into it. I ask a lot of questions to the people around me, but this was a decision that wasn't hard at all for me to make… I'm just thankful to be back, and it just feels like the perfect situation at the perfect time. I'm just happy to be back', said Damian Lillard to the press on Monday. Damian Lillard was traded to Portland Trail Blazers after spending two years with Milwaukee Bucks After playing 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers, the team traded this 35-year-old to the Milwaukee Bucks, ending his first stint in Rip City. However, within two years after a disappointing end with the Bucks, it was now time for the NBA star to move back home and be with his family. Damian Lillard has averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds in 131 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in his career. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He only ever wanted to return to the Bucks, given the fact that he is a family man and wanted to be close to his kids. ESPN's Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania revealed why Damian Lillard wanted to return to Portland Trail Blazers Shams Charania revealed the main reason for Damian Lillard's motivation towards joining the Portland Trail Blazers. 'Being home in Portland, being back with his three kids, was by far the biggest, most important factor in Damian Lillard returning to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was going to spend the year rehabbing his Achilles tear in the Portland area anyway. So, returning to the Blazers franchise, even though he requested a trade just two years ago, was something he deeply cared about', said Shams Charania. With Damian Lillard back to his home team, fans await his fast recovery and major comeback, probably the season following the next. FAQs For how many years did Damian Lillard play with the Milwaukee Bucks? NBA legend Damian Lillard played for two years with the Milwaukee Bucks until he was traded back to the Portland Trail Blazers What is Damian Lillard's injury all about? Damian Lillard had a major left leg injury that tore his achilles muscle in Game 4 of the NBA Finals 2025. What were Damian Lillard's achievements during his time with the Bucks? Damian Lillard was named an All-Star Game MVP in 2024 and won the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. Also read:
