Report: Milwaukee Bucks Land Damian Lillard in Blockbuster Deal
Damian Lillard will not be joining the Toronto Raptors.
The Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly struck a deal to send the 33-year-old superstar to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Lillard will reportedly join Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks continue to load up in order to retain the two-time MVP Antetokounmpo. In exchange, Jrue Holiday will head to Portland along with a 2029 unprotected first-round pick and two pick swaps from the Bucks. Portland will also acquire Deandre Jordan and Toumani Camara from the Suns. Phoenix comes away from the deal with Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson, per Wojnarowski.
It's unclear how far Toronto was willing to go in trade talks with Portland but O.G. Anunoby’s name had been the most likely trade candidate for the Raptors. The issue for Toronto would have been salary matching due to Lillard’s $45.6 million contract for this season.
Holiday is expected to be dealt in a secondary deal involving the Trail Blazers, per Wojnarowski. The 33-year-old guard is owed $36.9 million this year and has a player option for next season.
The Bucks will now become the favorites in the East once again, pairing up Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez.
Further Reading
Raptors Now Among Favorites to Land Damian Lillard in Blockbuster Trade With Trail Blazers
Raptors Once Again Mentioned Among Teams Keeping Tabs on Giannis Antetokounmpo
3 Questions Toronto Needs to Answer as Raptors Media Day Nears
