On Thursday, it was announced that Damian Lillard was rejoining the Portland Trail Blazers, a team where he became a franchise icon. The 6-foot-2 point guard spent his first 11 years in the league with Portland before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Lillard played two seasons for them, got hurt, was stretched and waived, and is now back with the Blazers. The 35-year-old is likely to miss all of next season, but if that is the case, he will make his official return for the team in the following season. It is another example of a franchise legend having a NBA reunion with that team. Let’s take a look at four other NBA players who had a reunion with the team where they became a legend at the end of their career.
Other NBA Franchise Icons Who Rejoined Team End Of Career
Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
After one season with the Houston Rockets and four with the Portland Trail Blazers, Scottie Pippen rejoined the Bulls in 2003-04. He was 38 years old at the time. It ended up being his final season as injuries limited the 6-foot-7 forward to just 23 games. He would average 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Of course, Pippen’s first tenure with Chicago was when he became a legend. His first 11 NBA seasons were with them, and he won six championships. During that time, he was a seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, and eight-time All-Defensive member.
Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
In 2009-10, Allen Iverson left the Memphis Grizzlies after three games, unhappy he was given a reserve role. At the age of 34, he went back to his longtime franchise in the 76ers. The 6-foot guard appeared in 25 games for Philadelphia that year averaging 13.9 points and 4.1 assists.
The first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Iverson played his first 11 seasons (and part of his 12th) with the Sixers. His first tenure saw him win four scoring titles as well as the MVP in 2000-01. Iverson’s 19,931 points in a 76ers uniform are the second-most in franchise history.
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Known as ‘The Big Ticket’, Kevin Garnett won his lone title in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. Still, the majority of his career was with the Timberwolves. In February of 2015 while with the Brooklyn Nets, KG was traded back to Minnesota. He would play one more season for them (2015-16) at the age of 39, starting all 38 of his outings, and averaged 3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.6 minutes.
It was back in 1995 where Minnesota selected Garnett fifth overall straight out of high school. He would play his first 12 years with the team and was named MVP in 2003-04. That was the first of four seasons in which Garnett led the league in rebounding. The 6-foot-11 power forward is the franchise career leader in most categories including points (19,201), rebounds (10,718), assists (4,216), steals (1,315), and blocks (1,590).
Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
While Dwyane Wade is remembered for his time with one team, he did play a season with the Bulls and part of one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He would be traded back to the Heat in February of 2018. Wade would spend the rest of the season with them and also played one more (2018-19). Ending the season at 37 years old, Wade was one of the most productive reserves that year. He would finish seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Selected fifth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by Miami, Wade donned their jersey for his first 13 seasons. That time included three championships, the first of which in 2006 where he was named Finals MVP. He won a scoring title in 2008-09 and had seven top-10 MVP finishes.
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