Damian Lillard Traded to Bucks All-Star Point Guard Dealt to Milwaukee
In a blockbuster trade, the Portland Trail Blazers have traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Milwaukee’s 2029 first-round pick, and unprotected Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2030. The Phoenix Suns will receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson.
Lillard, a six-time All-Star and one of the best point guards in the NBA, has been with the Trail Blazers since 2012. He is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in points and 3-pointers. Lillard was requesting a trade from Portland this offseason after the team failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs in the past five seasons.
The Bucks, the defending NBA champions, are getting one of the most prolific scorers in the league in Lillard. He will join forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo to form one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA. The Bucks are now the clear favorites to win the NBA championship again next season.
The Trail Blazers are getting a number of young assets in the trade, including Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick. Holiday is a veteran point guard who can give the Blazers a defensive presence at the position. Nurkic is a solid center who can provide the Suns with some much-needed rim protection.
Overall, this is a trade that benefits both teams. The Bucks are getting a superstar in Lillard who can help them win another championship. The Trail Blazers are getting a number of young assets who can help them build for the future.
Here are some of the potential impacts of this trade:
- The Bucks are now the clear favorites to win the NBA championship again next season. Lillard is one of the best scorers in the league, and he will give the Bucks a second option alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- The Trail Blazers are starting a new era. Lillard was the face of the franchise for the past decade, and his departure marks the end of an era. The Blazers are now focused on rebuilding around their young players, such as Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.
- The Suns are getting a solid center in Nurkic. They have been looking for a center to pair with Deandre Ayton, and Nurkic is a good fit.
- The Heat and Raptors, two teams that were interested in trading for Lillard, are now out of the running. They will have to look elsewhere for a new star player.
Overall, this is a blockbuster trade that will have a major impact on the NBA. The Bucks are now the clear favorites to win the championship, while the Trail Blazers are starting a new era.