Bucks Swing Blockbuster Trade for Trail Blazers Star Damian Lillard

After acquiring Damian Lillard, should the Bucks be favored over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference?

While Damian Lillard tried to force his way to the one franchise he wanted to join, the Miami Heat, the latter's offer simply wasn't enticing enough for the Trail Blazers to oblige.

Portland didn't appreciate Miami being the one team on the seven-time All-NBA guard's wish list, but the Trail Blazers also wanted to find a deal where the now former face of their franchise went to a good landing spot.

Enter the Milwaukee Bucks.

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According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lillard will now team with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez.

As part of a three-team trade, Portland receives Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 first-round pick from Milwaukee, and the right to swap first-round picks with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030.

The Suns are acquiring Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Keon Johnson, and Grayson Allen.

Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report adds that Lillard and Antetokounmpo have flirted with the idea of joining forces in recent years but couldn't convince the other to be the one who relocated.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports the expectation is for the Trail Blazers to "immediately engage contending teams" about deals that send Holiday elsewhere.

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Perhaps the Heat, who put most if not all of their eggs in the Lillard basket, pivot by swinging a deal for the two-time All-Star. However, it's possible the Celtics also get involved in the bidding. At a minimum, these two rival franchises will do their diligence and check in with Portland about what it would cost to add Holiday.

While a recent ESPN survey polling 15 NBA executives, scouts, and coaches voted Boston the most likely team to finish atop the Eastern Conference and capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season, Milwaukee's landing Lillard will sway many's stance.

It's reasonable to back the Celtics' big three of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis, plus high-end role players in Al Horford, Robert Williams, and Derrick White. There's even a case including one of the latter two, and labeling it a quartet is more accurate.

However, at a minimum, the Bucks' blockbuster move should ease concerns about Antetokounmpo asking out of Milwaukee as early as next summer.

Further Reading

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