NBA

Blockbuster trade shakes the NBA: Where will Damian Lillard play next?

September 28, 2023 12:10 am

So, after 11 years in Portland, the seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard has been traded as the talented point guard is desperate to win an NBA title before the end of his career. For months everyone talked about Lillard moving to Florida to join forces with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. It looked like a done deal for many. However, on the eve of the start of pre-season, a blockbuster trade changed dramatically the roster of three teams and Dame Lillard moved much further north than Miami. So, where will Damian Lillard play next? Read on to find out.

Dame Lillard
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport

The exact details of this mega 3-team NBA trade

So here is exactly who and what each of the three teams involved in this blockbuster trade got: Damian Lillard goes to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a 3-team deal. Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 go to to the Portland Trail Blazers. Phoenix Suns land Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.

Who the Milwaukee Bucks got?

Well, the Bucks got an All-Star point guard Damian Lillard to join forces with Giannis and Middleton in what was a mega-move for the team as it automatically makes them the big favourites in the East.

The Bucks had to give away their current starting point guard Jrue Holiday, as well as, the streaky shooter Grayson Allen. The former was a logical piece to trade as now it will be Dame Time in Milwaukee!

Who the Portland Trail Blazers got?

Portland might have lost their star Dame Lillard but they gained the proven two-way point guard Jrue Holiday in exchange, so their roster has some new exciting look now. The Blazers also changed their starting centre, as they sent Jusuf Nurkic to Phoenix and in exchange took Deandre Ayton.

Who the Phoenix Suns got?

The Phoenix Suns wanted badly to get Deandre Ayton’s wage off their books and they managed to do that. The Suns traded the centre to Portland and acquired from the Blazers their starting centre Jusuf Nurkic. Phoenix also added Grayson Allen in this 3-way trade, with the hard-working shooter expected to fit well next to the three big stars.

Social media reactions to the Damian Lillard trade

Here we have some reactions for you regarding the Lillard to the Bucks trade from social media:

Our view on this trade

We think the Bucks have landed a cornerstone in their quest to win another Championship over the next two to three years. Trading away Jrue Holiday must have been tough, but replacing him with a seven-time All-Star point guard seems a pretty good move to us.

Portland can also be satisfied. They knew Dame Lillard wanted out and they got pretty good value for him. Jrue Holiday is an excellent two-way point guard who will help the rookie Scoot Henderson develop. Also, Nurkic had to go as without Lillard he would have been a burden. In Deandre Ayton, the Blazers have a much more mobile and younger centre that can give them 20 points and 10 rebounds on any given night.

The third team involved in this trade were the Phoenix Suns. The Suns wanted to move Ayton all summer and they finally found a way to do that. He wasn’t fitting with Durant, Beal and Brooks. Jusuf Nurkic who comes in this trade is a much more powerful centre that will rebound well and protect the paint better than Ayton. The Suns also added a solid defender and capable shooter from distance in Grayson Allen.

Overall, we think all three teams did well and we can’t wait to see how they all fare in the new NBA season that is just around the corner.

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About the author

Iskra

Iskra had a promising, at least she believed so, tennis and volleyball careers as a junior but a series of injuries ended her hopes to become a professional athlete very early.

Instead, she focused all her energy on her other passion, writing. For over a decade, Iskra had been a freelance sports writer. Football, basketball and tennis are the main fields of her expertise.