NBA Legend Dwyane Wade Makes Feelings on Damian Lillard Clear After His Career Decision

Dame's Legacy Secured: Wade Says Championship Not Defining Factor

Lillard Returns to Portland, Leaving Title Dreams in Limbo

Damian Lillard is officially back with the Portland Trail Blazers after clearing waivers and rejecting offers from other teams. The superstar guard inked a three-year deal, choosing loyalty over a potential championship run. While this decision could impact his chances of winning a title, as he's currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and will turn 36 next season, Lillard has already cemented a remarkable legacy in Portland. He boasts seven All-Star selections, six All-NBA appearances, and led the team to eight consecutive playoff berths, including a Western Conference Finals run in 2019.

Despite a tumultuous period for both sides in 2023, it appears the Trail Blazers and Lillard have reconciled.

Wade: Championships Not Everything

NBA legend Dwyane Wade believes Lillard's impact on the game transcends any championship accolades. On his podcast, Wade emphasized that legacy shouldn't solely be defined by rings. "Dame's legacy in the NBA will be way bigger than a championship," he stated. "And I think every player that comes through this league, legacy is not just built on winning a championship...But that doesn't mean every player that comes through that is great at this game has to walk away with a championship for their legacy to be stamped."

Wade continued, "And so Dame, to me, is one of those players that if he never sniffs a championship, it doesn't change the fact that he's a bad (expletive). His legacy in Portland is stamped, and what he do from this point on is even more legacy building."

Wade himself won three NBA championships with the Miami Heat. He left the team for two years but ultimately returned to finish his career in South Beach, becoming an iconic figure for the franchise.