Eleven-year NBA veteran and Portland Trail Blazers superstar, Damian Lillard, was announced as the catalyst in a three-team trade involving the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. Below are the details of the trade, which was finalized and announced September 27th.
Bucks receive: Damian Lillard
Trail Blazers receive: Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Milwaukee’s 2029 first round pick(unprotected), and Milwaukee’s 2028 and 2030 swap rights
Suns receive: Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson
Sophomore Jakob Miller is a big Bucks fan here at Prospect, and also an NBA fan.
“I think it was a fair trade for all sides, and all sides benefited equally,” Miller said.
This trade came with a lot of controversy and build-up following Lillard’s request in July 2023 to be traded to the Miami Heat, something many NBA fans thought was sure to happen.
However, the Heat failed to offer a package valuable enough to make it a fair trade for Portland. Heat Genernal Manager (GM), Pat Riley, was very frugal in his offerings to the Trail Blazers. His most valuable package reportedly being guard Tyler Herro and two future first round picks, something that he never called Portland back to improve, per the Miami Herald.
Sophomore Colin Tucker is a huge fan of the NBA, and keeps track of news almost daily.
“I think the Trailblazers won the trade, because even though the Bucks got Lillard, the Trailblazers got DeAndre Ayton, a young big man, who will pair up well with Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe,” Tucker said. “Also, [the Blazers] got two future first round picks, which will be great for the years ahead.”
However, the trade is something that many Bucks fans are excited about, even at Prospect.
“It definitely gave the Bucks more offense, so of course it’ll boost [their] odds,” Miller said. “I’m very excited to see Giannis play with one of the best shooters in the league in Dame.”
Miller is correct about Lillard being added to the Bucks increasing their odds. Before the trade was announced, their odds on Caesar’s were as low as +850, and has since jumped to +375. This jump has made them the clear title favorite following a near-500 point jump.
Tucker also recognized how dangerous this Bucks team will be next year.
“I think the biggest effect of this trade is that the Bucks will end up with a straight road to the Eastern Conference Finals,” Tucker said. “They shouldn’t be scared of any team.”
