The Portland Trail Blazers have traded Damian Lillard so he can play with Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Milwaukee Bucks, a person with knowledge of the transaction said Wednesday.
This transaction ends a saga that lasted for three months, after Lillard signaled his willingness to be traded for the opportunity to win an NBA championship. She also concludes her 11-season stint with the Trail Blazers.
Lillard – a unique player who was also retained on the team marking the 75th anniversary of the NBA – therefore moves from the Trail Blazers to the Bucks in a transaction involving three teams.
Jrue Holiday was traded from the Bucks to the Blazers, Deandre Ayton left the Phoenix Suns to join the Blazers, and Jusuf Nurkic went from the Blazers to the Suns, according to a person familiar with the transaction who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity since none of the teams involved have yet confirmed this information.
And as is always the case, the transaction will not be concluded until the NBA’s lawyers can analyze it and give their approval.
Lillard asked to leave the Trail Blazers on July 1, an announcement that surprised no one since he had already suggested that he would like to be part of a team that aspires to great honors. The Trail Blazers, in perpetual reconstruction, do not seem able to fight for a championship with their current formation.
He had already indicated that he wanted to join the Miami Heat. The Trail Blazers chose not to comply with his request, preferring instead to trade him to the Bucks. They will now count on a dynamic duo in Lillard and Antetokounmpo, at the dawn of the new campaign.
