Meet the Trail Blazers starting five after the arrival of Lillard and Holiday

Damian Lillard is heading back to Portland. The nine-time All-Star has agreed to return to the Trail Blazers on a three-year deal worth $42 million, following his brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The point guard was originally traded by Portland to Milwaukee in September 2023, in a deal that brought Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara and a package of picks in return. Holiday was then flipped to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and additional assets – ultimately used to acquire Deni Avdija.

Lillard’s new contract includes a player option for the 2027–28 season and a no-trade clause, giving him more control over his future this time around.

Portland’s starting five

Portland is already looking ahead to how its lineup will take shape once Lillard is fully recovered. He’s expected to miss much of the upcoming season after tearing his Achilles during the playoffs with the Bucks.

Over the offseason, the Blazers brought Holiday back via a trade with Boston and retained several key pieces, including Deni Avdija, Robert Williams, and Toumani Camara.

Here’s how the Trail Blazers’ starting five could look with a healthy Damian Lillard in the lineup:

• PG: Damian Lillard
• SG: Shaedon Sharpe
• SF: Toumani Camara
• PF: Deni Avdija
• C: Donovan Clingan

Key rotation players include Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Robert Williams III, Yang Hansen, Jerami Grant, Caleb Love, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Duop Reath, Sidy Cissoko, and Rayan Rupert.

Until Lillard is back on the court, the projected starting five at the beginning of the season could be:

• PG: Jrue Holiday
• SG: Shaedon Sharpe
• SF: Deni Avdija
• PF: Jerami Grant
• C: Donovan Clingan

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