According to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, Damian Lillard has always had the plans of making a return to the Portland Trail Blazers before his retirement.

Even before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, he reportedly told people his plan of making a return to Portland.

“In just two years, I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” Lillard said in late July at his introductory news conference. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect this to happen at some point, but for it to happen this soon, I wasn’t expecting this.”

Ultimately, his plan of returning home was sped up due to his Achilles tear. Once that happened and the Bucks no longer wanted him, Lillard was ready to return to Portland and enact his plan.

By the time Lillard is able to rejoin the Blazers, he will be 36 years old when he is fully healed from his Achilles injury.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Boston Celtics have made significant strides in reducing their overall payroll and luxury tax since the beginning of this offseason.

June 15th, Boston was hovering around a projection of $540 million. August 5th, Boston is now around $239 million. That’s a total of $301 million they’ve been able to eliminate.

To be able to get a huge chunk of their payroll shedded, the Celtics traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. In addition to the two trades, fans also saw the Celtics part ways with Luke Kornet and Al Horford.

Rumor has it that they are looking to trade Anfernee Simons, if it means getting a good deal in return and being able to reduce their payroll even more.

The 2024 NBA champions are looking to reassembling this team through the draft and around Jayson Tatum for when he returns from his Achilles tear.

According to Marc Stein, by 2028, Luka Doncic will be considered to have played four years with the Los Angeles Lakers and will allow him to have a full no-trade clause for his next deal included.

This past Saturday saw Doncic sign a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers. The deal does include a player option.

By him signing the three-year deal now, this will open him up for a five-year supermax bubbling over $400 million. Plus, in addition to the massive payday, including the potential no-trade clause.

Right now in the National Basketball Association, only two players have a no-trade clause: LeBron James and Damian Lillard. Bradley Beal used to have a no-trade until buying out his contract with the Phoenix Suns to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

Los Angeles has fully committed to Doncic being their franchise player and their post-LeBron answer.