"Dame Time's Over"
Lillard said on his personal SNS X (formerly Twitter) on the morning of the 29th (Korea time), "Lip City forever. Daytime is over," he posted.
"I always prayed for my retirement from Portland," he said. "I'm leaving with only my fans and love for this city. This will never change," he said.
Lillard, who did not mention current Portland general manager John Cronin, expressed his appreciation for key Portland figures, including chairman Jody Allen, former general manager Neil Olshay and coach Chuncy Billups, who coached the team over the past two seasons.
Lillard has also spoken of Ann Fawnee Simmons, who grew up as his backcourt partner last season. Simons showed an amazing performance with an average of 21.1 points, 4.1 assists, and three-point success rate of 37.7% (9.1 attempts) while playing with Lillard.
"To Simons, I truly believe in you," Lillard said. "It is you who instilled the confidence to be something in this league, not a gift or talent from God. I was really happy to see (Simons) growing up," he said.
In addition, he said, "The day will come when I wear the Portland uniform again," and added, "I hope I can be forgiven for breaking my heart by then," and ended his goodbye by promising a day to come back.
Lillard previously spent 11 seasons in Portland before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where Janis Antetokounmpo is located. The deal came about three months after Lillard asked Portland for a trade in July.
"When I asked for a trade," Lillard said at the time, "I had to see some people turn up as my opponents. I have to admit that this makes me sad," he said.
Meanwhile, Lillard, who recorded an average of 32.2 points, 7.3 assists, field goal success rate of 46.1%, three-point success rate of 37.1% (11.3 attempts) and free throw success rate of 91.4% (9.6 attempts), will meet Antetokounmpo, a former "regular league back-to-back MVP."
Now he wants to win the trophy beyond the Eastern Conference hegemony challenge.