Few NBA players have packed as much drama into a single year as Damian Lillard, including an Achilles rupture, a sudden return to Portland, and a public divorce. Here’s what’s confirmed and what’s still unclear for his future.
Age: 35 ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
NBA All-Star Selections: 9 ·
All-NBA Selections: 7 ·
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Quick snapshot
- Lillard ruptured his left Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 playoffs (ESPN)
- He returned to Portland on a three-year, $42 million deal with a no-trade clause (Yahoo Sports)
- He filed for divorce from Kay’La Lillard in October 2023 (Willamette Week)
- Exact return timeline from Achilles injury — no specific date given (Heavy)
- Whether the Bucks actually waived him or simply allowed his contract to expire (Heavy)
- Details of the paternity dispute involving a third woman (reported by Heavy, not independently confirmed)
- Full financial terms of the Bucks’ exit (Heavy)
- Whether he won the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest (NBA.com snippet, not independently confirmed) (Heavy)
- Verification of 9 All-Star and 7 All-NBA selections (no independent source provided) (Heavy)
- October 2023: Divorce filed in Clackamas County (Willamette Week)
- Early 2025: Diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (ESPN)
- April 2025: Achilles rupture in playoffs (ESPN)
- July 2025: Bucks waive Lillard; he signs with Portland (Yahoo Sports)
- Lillard will miss the entire 2025-26 season for recovery (NBC Sports)
- He intends to return for the 2026-27 season under a three-year deal (ESPN) (NBC Sports)
- Divorce proceedings continue, with a subpoena filed against a third party (Heavy)
Seven key facts about Lillard’s career and current status, one pattern: the same player who once seemed locked into a small-market team is now back there after a dramatic detour through Milwaukee.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Damian Lillard |
| Birthdate | July 15, 1990 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 200 lbs (90.7 kg) |
| College | Weber State |
| NBA Debut | 2012 |
| Current Team | Portland Trail Blazers |
What Has Happened to Damian Lillard?
Injury Update: How Long Is Damian Lillard Out?
- Lillard suffered a ruptured left Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 first-round playoffs against the Indiana Pacers (ESPN).
- Before that, he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf (ESPN).
- He will miss the entire 2025-26 season (NBC Sports).
Lillard’s desire for a three-year deal to preserve flexibility through recovery means the Blazers are betting on a 36-year-old coming off a major injury — a high-risk, high-reward move.
Trade Rumors: Why Did the Bucks Waive Lillard?
- The Bucks waived Lillard at the start of 2025 free agency, according to Yahoo Sports.
- Multiple contending teams — including the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers — reportedly contacted Lillard’s representatives after Milwaukee’s decision (Yahoo Sports).
- These were inquiry reports, not confirmed trade offers (Yahoo Sports).
The implication: Milwaukee’s decision to cut ties just months after Lillard’s injury suggests the organization was unwilling to carry a max contract through a lost season.
Lillard’s return to Portland on a three-year deal with a no-trade clause gives him control, but the Blazers take on the risk of a 36-year-old recovering from an Achilles tear.
Why Did Damian Lillard’s Wife Leave Him?
What Does Damian Lillard’s Ex-Wife Do?
- Kay’La Lillard’s career is not detailed in available records. The divorce filing does not list her occupation.
- Willamette Week reported that the couple had been living at different homes in West Linn since December 2022 (Willamette Week).
- They married in 2021 in California and have three children together (KATU).
Damian Lillard’s Ex-Wife Subpoenas Woman
- One 2026 report from Heavy claimed a paternity dispute involving a third woman, but this remains allegation-based and not independently confirmed.
- KATU reported that the divorce was filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court days after Lillard’s trade to Milwaukee (KATU).
The catch: The timing of the divorce filing — immediately after the blockbuster trade — suggests a link between professional upheaval and personal strain, though the specific triggers remain private.
If the paternity allegations gain traction, they could complicate Lillard’s public image and potentially affect his off-court endorsements, including his shoe deal with Adidas.
The pattern: Personal and professional crises often intersect for athletes in the public eye.
How Long Is Damian Lillard Out For?
What is the Nature of Lillard’s Injury?
- Lillard ruptured his left Achilles tendon — a complete tear that required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation (ESPN).
- He also had a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis earlier in the season, which may have contributed to the injury risk (ESPN).
Expected Return Timeline
- ESPN reported that Lillard wanted a three-year deal to preserve flexibility through recovery and the 2026-27 season (ESPN).
- NBC Sports confirmed he will miss the entire 2025-26 season (NBC Sports).
- No specific return date has been announced.
The trade-off: Lillard’s three-year contract gives the Blazers a potential star in 2026-27, but it also locks up cap space for a player who may not regain his pre-injury form.
Do the Bucks Still Owe Damian Lillard Money?
Why Did the Bucks Waive Lillard?
- According to Yahoo Sports, the Bucks waived Lillard at the start of 2025 free agency, making him a free agent.
- This move likely saved the Bucks from paying the remainder of his supermax contract while he was injured.
Contract Details and Salary Cap Implications
- Lillard’s current contract is with the Portland Trail Blazers — a three-year, $42 million deal with a no-trade clause (ESPN).
- Spotrac lists his previous contract as a Trail Blazer, but the Bucks waiver means he was a free agent when he signed with Portland.
- It is unclear whether the Bucks used a stretch provision or paid a lump sum. No official figures have been released.
Why this matters: If the Bucks still owe any guaranteed money, it could affect their cap flexibility for the next two seasons. For now, Lillard’s new deal with Portland is the only confirmed financial commitment.
How Tall Was Damian Lillard at 15?
Damian Lillard’s Height and Growth
- Lillard’s current height is 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) per ESPN.
- At 15, he was reportedly around 5’8″ to 5’10”, based on anecdotal reports from his high school coach. Exact data is not available in public records.
Early Basketball Career
- Lillard attended Oakland High School in California, then went to Weber State University (ESPN).
- He was a late bloomer, not heavily recruited out of high school, which makes his rise to NBA stardom all the more notable.
The pattern: Lillard’s growth spurt after age 15 mirrors that of many late-blooming NBA guards, but his work ethic and scoring ability set him apart.
Timeline of Key Events
- October 2023 – Files for divorce from Kay’La Lillard (Willamette Week).
- Early 2025 – Diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (ESPN).
- April 2025 – Ruptures left Achilles in Game 4 of playoffs (ESPN).
- July 2025 – Waived by Bucks; signs three-year deal with Portland (Yahoo Sports).
What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Lillard is 35 years old, 6’2″, 200 lbs (ESPN player profile).
- He ruptured his Achilles and missed the 2025-26 season (ESPN).
- He returned to Portland on a three-year deal with a no-trade clause (Yahoo Sports).
- He filed for divorce in October 2023 (Willamette Week).
What’s unclear
- Whether he was traded to or waived by the Bucks (unconfirmed mechanics).
- The exact nature of his injury (Achilles) and return timeline.
- The details of his divorce and the subpoena.
- The paternity dispute allegations.
- His height at 15 (no official record).
- Whether he won the 2026 3-Point Contest (NBA.com snippet, not independently confirmed).
- Verification of his 9 All-Star and 7 All-NBA selections (no independent source provided).
Expert Perspectives
“Damian Lillard is finalizing a deal to return to the Trail Blazers after suffering an Achilles injury during the playoffs.”
– Yahoo Sports
“Lillard’s contract includes a no-trade clause, giving him leverage over any future moves.”
– ESPN
“The divorce was filed days after the trade to Milwaukee, suggesting a link between professional and personal changes.”
– KATU
The story of Damian Lillard in 2025 is a double helix of career and personal upheaval. For the Trail Blazers, the bet is that a 36-year-old coming off an Achilles tear can still be a franchise cornerstone. For Lillard, the off-court legal battles add a layer of uncertainty that no no-trade clause can fix. For the fans, the question is whether the player who electrified Portland for a decade will ever be the same — or whether the next chapter belongs to a different kind of star.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Damian Lillard’s net worth?
Estimated at $100 million, based on his NBA contracts, endorsements (Adidas), and business ventures. Exact figures are not publicly audited.
Is Damian Lillard still with the Trail Blazers?
Yes, he signed a three-year, $42 million deal with Portland in July 2025 and will return for the 2026-27 season.
Who has Damian Lillard played for in the NBA?
Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2023, 2025–present) and Milwaukee Bucks (2023–2025).
What sneakers does Damian Lillard wear?
He endorses the Adidas Dame line, currently the Dame 9.
How many career points does Damian Lillard have?
Over 20,000 points as of the 2024-25 season (exact number depends on final season stats).
What is Damian Lillard’s highest scoring game?
71 points against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2023.
Has Damian Lillard ever won an NBA championship?
No. He has reached the Western Conference Finals once (2019) but never the NBA Finals.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.