By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Star point guard Damian Lillard has agreed to a two-year, $122 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers that will tie him to the franchise through the 2026-27 season, per multiple reports.
Lillard’s current deal, signed two years ago, runs through the 2024-25 season. The six-time All-Star has already made $195 million as the franchise player over the past decade, and the new money will carry his earnings with the team to more than $450 million.
He played 29 games last season before needing abdominal surgery in mid-January, addressing an injury he had been managing for several years. Lillard averaged 24 points and 7.3 assists but shot a career-low 40% as he labored with the injury.
Lillard, who turns 32 on July 15, also said the mental break was helpful, along with the physical rest.
The Blazers, who finished 27-55 and 13th in the Western Conference, have aimed for a quick rebuild around Lillard’s return. Two weeks ago they executed a trade for forward Jerami Grant, who played with Lillard on Team USA last summer, and drafted promising prospect Shaedon Sharpe with the No. 7 overall pick.