Milwaukee Bucks acquire star PG Damian Lillard in 3 - Team NBA blockbuster Trade

Introduction

On Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 the Portland Trail Blazers traded guard, Damian Lillard, to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a 3 - team deal that also includes the Phoenix Suns, and the Portland Trail Blazers the 3 - teams publicly announced to the major sports media outlets.

Other Trade Details

The Portland Trail Blazers receive the superstar point guard / shooting guard, Jrue Holiday, center / power forward Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2029 unprotected 1st - round NBA draft pick, and an unprotected Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA draft pick swap rights in both 2028 and 2030, according to the 3 - teams involved in this NBA blockbuster trade.

The Phoenix Suns will receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson as well via this major NBA trade package. The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to engage contending teams on trade talks to move Holiday, and I believe he has just been moved to the Boston Celtics via a separate NBA trade agreement.

The deal comes months after Lillard previously requested to be traded in the early days of July 2023 as the Portland Trail Blazers categorical made the decision to take a very patient and calculated approach to the past negotiations involved in all of these multi - team NBA trades.

Damian Lillard

Lillard leaves the Portland Trail Blazers just after 11 - amazing seasons in which he was their superstar game - winning and big - shot making 7 - time NBA All - Star selection as well as All - NBA teams as Damian led the Portland Trail Blazers franchise to the NBA playoffs a total of 8 - times, including an NBA Western Conference Finals appearance back during the 2018 - 2019 NBA season.

Damian now currently ranks 1st in Portland Trail Blazers team history in points scored, 3 - pointers made, and he is presently 2nd in assists all - time in the Portland Trail Blazers franchise history.

Lillard went to X last Wednesday to post that he is “excited” for the next chapter in his NBA career.

The now 33 - year - old Damian had a career year over the course of the past 2022 - 2023 NBA season as he averaged a total of 32.2 - points per game as well as 7.3 - assists per game, but Lillard played in only 58 - games as he sat out the last month of the previous NBA season. The highlight of Damian’s last NBA season came on February 26th, 2023 versus the Houston Rockets, when he scored an astonishing 71 - total points.

“Today is an exciting day for Milwaukee,” the Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin and their general manager Jon Horst mention in a recently released statement. “When you have the rare opportunity to pair one of the premier NBA players with a highly versatile roster that has lofty goals, you go for it. And we’re thrilled to welcome seven-time All - Star Damian Lillard to the Bucks.”

Damian’s 32.2 - points per game is the highest by a player to change teams over the course of the following season of the National Basketball Association.

“His character, competitiveness, talent and experience complement our group and gives us the best chance to win at the very highest level as we create new memories together,” the Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst said.

Despite Lillard’s huge - numbers, the Portland Trail Blazers failed to earn entrance to the NBA playoffs for the 2nd - straight NBA season for the very 1st - time throughout Damian’s 11 - year NBA career. The Portland Trail Blazers managed to hold on to their draft pick after both of those seasons, most recently picking the guard Scoot Henderson with the NBA’s number 2 - overall NBA draft selection in which Damian’s uncomfortable trade request came just shortly after that.

“I want to express my gratitude to Damian for 11 - storied years with this franchise and for his loyalty to the Portland community,” the Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin stated. “From becoming the all - time leading points scorer in franchise history to his dedicated commitment to youth across Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest, Damian is and will remain a titan and a true trailblazer to this city.”

The Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks emerged as the overall favorites to win the National Basketball Association championship title immediately following this blockbuster NBA trade. The odds are currently around 4 to 1 at many of the major U. S. sportsbooks. The Milwaukee Bucks had been previously listed as the 4th - favorite prior to this big - time NBA trade, right behind the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics, and the Phoenix Suns.

Damian Lillard’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

• 7 - Time NBA All - Star Selection (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
• All - NBA First Team Selection (2018)
• 4 - Time All - NBA Second Team Selection (2016, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• 2 - Time All - NBA Third Team Selection (2014, 2023)
• NBA Rookie of the Year Award Winner (2013)
• NBA All - Rookie First Team Selection (2013)
• NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection
• NBA Teammate of the Year Award Winner (2021)
• NBA Three - Point Contest Champion (2023)
• Third - Team All - American - Associated Press, NABC (2012)
• 2 - Time Big Sky Player of the Year Award Winner (2010, 2012)
• Big Sky Freshman of the Year Award Winner (2009)
• 3 - Time First - Team All - Big Sky Selection (2009, 2010, 2012)
• Jersey Number - 1 Retired by the Weber State Wildcats

Deandre Ayton’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

• NBA All - Rookie First Team Selection (2019)
• Consensus First - Team All - American Selection (2018)
• Karl Malone Award Winner (2018)
• Pac - 12 Player of the Year Award Winner (2018)
• First - Team All - Pac - 12 Selection (2018)
• Pac - 12 Freshman of the Year Award Winner (2018)
• Pac - 12 Tournament MOP Award Winner (2018)
• McDonald's All - American Selection (2017)

Jrue Holiday’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

• NBA Champion (2021)
• 2 - Time NBA All - Star Selection (2013, 2023)
• 3 - Time NBA All - Defensive First Team Selection (2018, 2021, 2023)
• 2 - Time NBA All - Defensive Second Team Selection (2019, 2022)
• NBA Sportsmanship Award Winner (2021)
• 3 - Time NBA Teammate of the Year Award Winner (2020, 2022, 2023)
• Pac - 10 All - Freshman Team Selection (2009)
• Gatorade National Player of the Year Award Winner (2008)
• First - Team Parade All - American Selection (2008)
• Third - Team Parade All - American Selection (2007)
• McDonald's All - American Selection (2008)
• California Mr. Basketball Award Winner (2008)

Sources:

“Blazers deal Damian Lillard to Bucks in blockbuster 3 - team deal”, espn.com, September 27, 2023.

“Damian Lillard”, basketball-reference.com, October 2, 2023.

“Deandre Ayton”, basketball-reference.com, October 2, 2023.

“Jrue Holiday”, basketball-reference.com, October 2, 2023.