The Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard so he could play alongside 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 had signaled his willingness to be traded in order to have 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 selected for the team celebrating the 75e anniversary of the NBA – therefore goes 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 had requested the 1er last July to leave the Trail Blazers, 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.