Damian Lillard says he ‘couldn’t be happier’ back in Portland

Damian Lillard figured he’d spend at least two more years in Milwaukee. Instead, he’s back in Portland — and if you ask him, it feels like home all over again.

Appearing on The Sideline with Andy Katz (via Bleacher Report), Lillard didn’t hide his feelings about returning to the Trail Blazers after the unusual chain of events that cut his Bucks stint short.

“I’m not an overly expressive person,” Lillard said. “But I think in my adulthood, coming back here at this time, with the age of my kids, where the team is — they’ve developed and grown over the last couple years — being back where I’ve been for the first 11 years of my career, this is one of the times where I feel extremely happy.

“Every day I wake up and I’m thankful. I’m waking up seeing my kids, taking them to school. I can just drive down to my mom’s house. I couldn’t be happier.”

Two summers ago, it looked like Lillard and Portland were done for good. He asked for a trade — Miami was his preferred destination — but general manager Joe Cronin wasn’t impressed with the Heat’s offers.

After a months-long standoff, Lillard was shipped to Milwaukee.

The Giannis-Lillard pairing never reached its potential. Injuries to both stars derailed two straight first-round exits, and last season spiraled when Lillard was sidelined in March with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.

He returned for the playoffs, only to tear his Achilles — an injury that will keep him out this year.

Milwaukee responded by stretching the final two years of his contract, freeing up room to sign Myles Turner. Lillard, meanwhile, is back where it all started.

“I recently started back running, and I’m four months out,” he said of his rehab. “I’m feeling strong. I’m feeling good about it.

“But I’m going to take my time to get all the way back… so that when I return to the floor I’m not returning as a shell of myself. I plan to return and be myself.”

For now, Lillard is embracing the wait — and embracing Portland again.