In search of a new challenge, Damian Lillard leaves the Blazers in a trade involving three teams. Approached in Miami, the 33-year-old All-Star playmaker finally joined the Bucks to form a terribly promising duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Blazers notably recover Jrue Holiday and Deandre Ayton. The Suns inherit Jusuf Nurkic.
It’s a huge move by Milwaukee: Portland superstar Damian Lillard is leaving his long-time franchise to join the Bucks of Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Looking forward to opening a new chapter!”, the American leader wrote on X before mentioning the Wisconsin franchise.
If the trade is not yet official, this message confirms information already revealed by several media this Wednesday, including ESPN and The Athletic. “Blazers fans and the city of Portland, whom I love dearly, will be sincerely honored. Stay tuned,” adds the player, seven times selected to the All-Star Game.
The Bucks rather than the Heat
Aged 33, Lillard indicated in July his desire to leave Portland, showing a preference for the Miami Heat. He finally landed at the Bucks, less than a month before the start of the 2023-24 season. He will form a star duo with Antetokounmpo, two-time regular season MVP (2019 and 2020) and crowned champion in 2021 with the franchise. The Greek put pressure on the Bucks in July, explaining that he would not sign a contract extension if he was not convinced that his team would remain competitive in aiming for the NBA title. It is now done.
In a usual three-cushion billiards game in the NBA, the departure of “Dame” involves player exchanges between Portland, Milwaukee but also the Phoenix Suns. The Trail Blazers welcome Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, the Bucks’ first-round pick in 2029 as well as the Bucks’ draft trades in 2028 and 2030. The Suns receive Jusuf Nurkic, Nassar Little, Keon Johnson and Grayson Allen.
A very skillful shooter and compulsive scorer, renowned for his composure during the final seconds of very close matches, Lillard averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists in 58 matches last year, but missed qualifying for play. -offs for the second consecutive season.
2023-09-27 22:15:47
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