Damian Lillard had one more goodbye left in him to the city he called home for 11 seasons.
The now-former Trail Blazers star and current Buck penned a lengthy farewell to the fans who have supported him during his time in The Rose City.
He posted the message on social media with the caption, “Rip City Forever. Dame Time has run out.”
“I want to start off by saying this isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you later,” he wrote. “My words have always been from the heart when it comes to you Rip City. I consider you my home as well as many of my family members and that won’t change. I’ve built my entire adulthood here and made so many friends that I will never forget.
“The moments on the basketball court as great as they have been, don’t even compare to the experience I’ve had with all of you. The way you embraced me from day one gave me no choice but to reciprocate the love a thousand times and I don’t regret it one bit.”
Wednesday’s blockbuster trade ended an offseason-long saga with the Trail Blazers over whether he would remain with the organization.
Lillard formally requested a trade in July after it became clear the direction the franchise was going.
“I was the young, new, confident, chip on my shoulder, prideful, competitive, Rip City loving, mid-major PG that you all couldn’t get enough of,” part of Lillard’s goodbye continued. “Now I’m older and on my way out the door, a door that I always prayed would lead to retirement — not another team. I leave with nothing but love for the fans and this city. That will never change.”
Lillard addressed the trade in a rap song he released under his stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A on Wednesday, hours after news of the deal leaked.
The veteran guard also didn’t rule out a potential return to Portland down the line in his goodbye to fans.
“I do believe a day will come where I put a Blazers uniform on again, and hopefully by then, I’ll be forgiven for breaking your hearts along with my own,” the end of the note read.
The point guard is coming off the best season of his career in 2022-23, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game.
He now joins a Milwaukee team that boasts its own megastar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
