What did the Portland Trail Blazers get for trading Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks?
In one of the biggest and most unexpected trades, the Bucks bring together two superstars. The Suns facilitate the operation as the third team involved.
His name was on everyone’s lips in this summer’s market in the NBA (now autumn) - Damian Lillard. After all the rumors and statements that placed him sooner, later or almost inevitably, in Miami, he is packing his bags to move to the other side of the country. To the north, in the state of Wisconsin, with a totally unexpected destination: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks....
The team that won the ring in 2021 and that in the last two seasons has seen how injuries caused them to fall short in their quest for another title, now brings together two superstars of the league and once again places itself on pole among the contenders to win this season’s title.
Back at the start of July, Lillard requested a trade after 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers. “We have been clear that we want Dame here but he notified us today he wants out and he’d prefer to play someplace else. What has not changed for us is that we’re committed to winning, and we are going to do what’s best for the team in pursuit of that goal,” Portland general manager Joe Cronin confirmed in a statement at the time.
Over the summer, Lillard was linked with several teams including the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers although the center’s preferred choice appeared to be a the Miami Heat - a move that the Blazers were unlikely to facilitate. Earlier this week the Toronto Raptors entered the day in an attempt to hijack the operation.
Who else is involved in Lillard’s trade to the Bucks?
The transfer, which was reported by ESPN journalist Andrian Wojnarowski, was possible thanks to the intervention of a third franchise, the Phoenix Suns, who complete a three-way operation. The Bucks keep the most important piece, Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers, who were until today the point guard’s team, take Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, an unprotected first round in 2029 and two options to change their draft picks in 2028 and 2030, all of them from Milwaukee. Meanwhile the Suns receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.