Blazers deal Damian Lillard to Bucks in blockbuster 3-team deal
The Portland Trail Blazers have moved guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks to play with Giannis Antetokounmpo in a three-team transaction that also includes the Phoenix Suns, the teams confirmed Wednesday.
According to the statement, Portland receives Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Milwaukee's 2029 unprotected first-round draft pick, and unprotected Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2030.
As part of the transaction, the Suns obtain Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson.
The Blazers are still working on other moves and are likely to immediately approach contending clubs in trade negotiations to move on from Holiday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The agreement comes months after Lillard formally requested a trade in early July, when the Blazers decided to be patient in their negotiations.
Lillard departs Portland after 11 seasons in which he was named to seven All-Star and All-NBA teams and led the team to the playoffs eight times, including a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2018-19. He is the team's all-time leader in points, 3-pointers, and assists.
On Wednesday, he told X that he is "excited" for the next chapter.
Lillard, 33, had a career year last season, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists while sitting out the final month of the season. Lillard's season high came on Feb. 26 against the Houston Rockets, when he scored 71 points.
"Today is an exciting day for Milwaukee," said Bucks president Peter Feigin and general manager Jon Horst. "When you have the rare opportunity to pair one of the best NBA players with a highly versatile team with lofty goals, you take it." "We're also excited to welcome seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard to the Bucks."
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lillard's 32.2 points per game are the most by a player who switches teams the following season.
Despite Lillard's statistics, Portland missed the playoffs for the second year in a row for the first time in his career. After both seasons, the Blazers chose to maintain their draft pick, most recently drafting guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 2 overall pick. Lillard's trade request arrived soon after.
The Bucks emerged as the consensus favorites to win the NBA title after the trade, with odds around 4-1 at U.S. sportsbooks. Milwaukee had been listed as the fourth-favorite, behind the defending-champion Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Suns.
