BREAKING: Damian Lillard Traded to New York Knicks' Rival - Giannis' Bucks
Damian Lillard has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks from the Portland Trail Blazers, ending months of drama with a bang.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Lillard was traded from Portland to Milwaukee as a part of a three-team trade that also involved the Phoenix Suns. The Blazers received Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 first round pick, and pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The Suns sent out Ayton to Portland after drafting him with 2018's first pick. and received Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Keon Johnson, and Grayson Allen.
USA TODAY Sports
It was presumed that the Miami Heat were the favorites to land Lillard, with teams like the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks trailing behind them. With no clear title contender in the Eastern Conference, whatever team landed Lillard would likely been among the clear favorites.
The Knicks have been talked about as serious contenders out of the East for the first time in ages with the conference seemingly wide open. Now, Lillard and Bucks' star Giannis Antetokounmpo give the Bucks an easier path toward retaining their status as the East's top seed.
The Blazers are expected to continue to make trades, with veterans Holiday and Ayton possibly going back on the market. Both of those players could be intriguing for a contender like New York who will be looking to catch up with the Bucks now.
The most disappointed team coming out of this saga is likely the Heat, who were the heavy favorites to land Portland's superstar the entire time. Lillard reportedly expressed interest in playing there and pretty much only there, yet still ended up in Milwaukee.
It won't be too long into the season before Lillard makes his first appearance against the Knicks. The Bucks will host New York on Nov. 3 as part of pool play in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
