LILLARD TRADED TO THE BUCKS

On Sept. 27, the Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, ending a three-month saga that began July 1 when Lillard asked to leave Portland, after playing 11 seasons here.

In this major trade, Lillard went to another small-market team, Milwaukee, while veteran guard Jrue Holiday and a first-round draft pick moved to Portland. The Phoenix Suns were also involved, receiving Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson from the Blazers. In return, Portland acquired Deandre Ayton, a 7-foot star who fills their need for a tall and more athletic center.

Lillard is a beloved figure in Portland, known not only by sports fans but by the entire community. His support for local basketball and education programs, his backing of the Boys & Girls Clubs, and his loyalty both to Portland and the Blazers have long made him a central figure in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Lillard’s trade request doesn’t mean he’s giving up on Portland or doesn’t value his time there. Instead, it highlights the Trail Blazers’ struggle to build a championship-winning team around him. The closest he came to the NBA Finals was reaching the 2019 Western Conference Finals, and the Blazers haven’t been able to provide him with the right supporting cast in terms of height, skills, and defense. He has given his all, but it’s understandable that he’s looking for new opportunities.

Back on July 1, Lillard officially asked to be traded out of Portland, naming (or demanding, through his agent) the Miami Heat as his preferred destination. However, limiting the trade options to just one team made negotiations challenging for the Blazers. The Heat offered low-value deals that didn’t reflect Lillard’s status as a seven-time All-Star. As talks extended into August and early September, the Blazers decided to explore offers from other teams.

Ultimately, Lillard ended up on a championship-contending team, although not his first choice. He will play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP and 2021 Finals MVP whose inside skills complement Lillard’s outside shooting.

With Lillard gone, many questions arise about the future of the new-look Blazers. The outlook is promising, especially with the first-round picks acquired in his trade.

After trading Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 1 for valuable assets and two first-round picks, the Blazers have ample draft capital. Beyond their own picks moving forward, they currently have a 2024 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors and two 2029 first-round picks from Boston and Milwaukee. These assets hold potential for the future, especially if the young Portland players develop into stars.

The Blazers’ core now includes Scoot Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft in June; Anfernee Simons, who has been with the Blazers since 2018; Shaedon Sharpe, in his second year in the NBA; Ayton, and now Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon – both obtained from the Celtics.

Fans can now look forward to watching these young players grow and improve, instead of focusing on Lillard’s trade request. And it will be very interesting to see how 19-year-old Henderson’s experience in the G-League, the NBA’s official minor league, translates to playing with the veteran pros in the NBA.