Lillard teams up with Yang Hansong! The Trail Blazers show loyalty! Welcome home, cousin!

In early July, the Bucks waived Coach Lillard and extended the remaining $113 million on his contract to create space to sign Myles Turner.

Thus, Lillard's two-year tenure with the Bucks came to an end.

At that time, I posed a question:Would any team be willing to sign Lillard and keep him for a year?

The answer has emerged today: there is true affection and love in the world.

According to Shams,Damian Lillard returns to the Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal, which includes a player option and trade veto rights for the 2027-2028 season.

In the upcoming 2025-26 season, his fixed salary, covering both his contracts with the Trail Blazers and the Bucks, will reach $70 million.

Before the player option for the 2027-28 season begins, Lillard's total salary for the next two years will reach as high as $141 million, with all parties finalizing the terms this week.

But the destination is already confirmed. When given the chance to choose a destination as a free agent for the first time in his career, Lillard chose to return to the city that had torn him for the past eleven seasons, where his family and children still reside.

Cousin, you’re home, back to the initial beauty.

How do we evaluate this?

For both the player and the team, it is certainly beneficial.

What is the current positioning of the Trail Blazers? A rebuilding team with no clear expectations for performance.

Given this,bringing back the franchise's iconic figure is a boon for ticket sales and market value. Since they won't achieve results immediately, it’s better to bring back the veteran and create a classic narrative of loyalty.

Now, the Trail Blazers have gained a good reputation.

But what about the player?

Lillard had options; the Heat and Celtics both extended olive branches. So why choose the Trail Blazers?

Let’s not exaggerate the sentiment; we’re adults, let’s be realistic.

First, the Trail Blazers offered quite a lot.

Second, he can be with his family.

As a guard player from 1990 who has experienced significant injuries, Lillard's career is truly nearing its end.

Why wouldn’t a player return home when the mother team opens its arms?

Returning to one’s roots is not a difficult choice at all.

Interestingly, in 2023, Lillard was traded for Jrue Holiday, Kamara, a 2029 first-round pick from the Bucks, and swap rights for 2028 and 2030, and then Holiday was sent to the Celtics in exchange for Robert Williams, Brogdon, and some assets.

In the end, one Lillard brought back: Lillard, Holiday, Avdija, Robert Williams, Kamara, first-round picks, and swap rights.

The Trail Blazers' star player made a significant contribution to the community with this back-and-forth.

After signing back Coach Lillard, the Trail Blazers' roster is:

PG: Holiday, Lillard, Henderson; SG: Thybulle, Sharpe, Lupe

SF: Murray, Kamara; PF: Grant, Avdija

C: Robert Williams, Klingen, Yang Hansong, Reece

From the perspective of Chinese fans, it’s certainly about Lillard teaming up with Yang Hansong.

Although the cousin's "Top 75" has been criticized, he still gained countless fans during his over ten years with the Trail Blazers. He led the team to the Western Conference Finals and contributed many memorable moments.

Whether for Rockets fans or Paul George fans, there are deep feelings...

So how should we correctly view the partnership between Lillard and Yang Hansong?

Let me briefly mention a few points.

First, I can understand the simple feelings of the fans, so the Trail Blazers' viewership is guaranteed.

Second, but from a playing style perspective, I never thought Lillard could be a good mentor.

In fact, he plays like a shooting guard at the height of a point guard, and he can’t guide others. His team must be centered around him, watching him play.

Third, Chinese fans don’t need to worry about Yang Hansong.

On one hand, it’s likely that Coach Lillard won’t play next season, and on the other hand, Yang Hansong will likely be a backup. For this rookie, it’s best to focus on performing well next season.

The NBA changes rapidly; there’s no need to think too far ahead.

Finally, let me boldly predict: if these two really play together in the future, it’s predictable that:

Lillard’s playing style will likely be criticized by Chinese fans... haha.