Beijing time on July 1st, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst confirmed that well-informed sources revealed that Damian Lillard agreed to a four-year super-max salary extension contract with the Trail Blazers worth a total of US$196 million, including a player option in the final year. The famous reporter Samas Charania of "The Athletic" first broke the news that Lillard has begun discussions with the Trail Blazers to renew his contract in advance.

Lillard's current contract has two years left and will expire in the summer of 2021. Among them, the annual salary for the 19-20 season is US$29.8 million, and the annual salary for the 20-21 season is US$31.63 million.

"Yahoo Sports" reporter Chris Hannes followed up with a report. The tip he received was that Lillard's agency team met with Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey in Oakland today. After the early contract extension agreement is reached, Lillard's annual salaries starting from the 21-22 season will be US$43.75 million, US$47.25 million, US$50.75 million and US$54.25 million respectively.

Lillard is the absolute core and spiritual leader of the Trail Blazers. He made a huge contribution to the team's run to the Western Conference Finals this year. According to previous rumors, Lillard has made it clear that he wants to stay in Portland for the rest of his life and will not choose to team up elsewhere for the championship.

ESPN salary expert Bob Marks joked on social media, "This is the best era of the NBA. From the 06-07 season to the 2008-09 season, the total maximum salary at that time was US$53.1 million, US$55.6 million, and US$58.7 million. Now, there is a player who can earn this amount in one season!"

As the No. 6 pick in the first round of 2012, Lillard has led the Trail Blazers to the playoffs a total of 6 times since entering the league. In his career so far, Lillard's most impressive performance is in the first round of the 2014 playoffs, when Lillard defeated the Rockets in G6; and in the first round of this year's playoffs, Lillard defeated the Thunder in G5. Lillard is also one of only four players to average at least 25 points and 5 assists per game in the past four seasons. The other three are LeBron James, Stephen Curry and James Harden.

The 28-year-old Lillard played 80 games in the 18-19 regular season, averaging 35.5 minutes per game, averaging 25.8 points, 6.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals. So far in his career, Lillard has scored a total of 12,909 points, ranking second in Trail Blazers history, second only to "Glider" Drexler (18,040 points).