The Portland Trail Blazers traded guard Damian Lillard to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team deal that also includes the Phoenix Suns, the teams announced Wednesday.
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, the teams said in their release.
The Suns receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson as part of the trade package.
The Blazers are expected to engage contending teams on trade talks to move Holiday, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The seven-time All-Star — a player so elite that he was selected to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team — goes from the Trail Blazers to the Bucks in a three-team deal that sends Jrue Holiday from the Bucks to Portland, Deandre Ayton from Phoenix to Portland and Jusuf Nurkic from the Blazers to the Suns, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because none of the involved teams had announced the agreement.
The lyrics in "Farewell" feature a number of pointed references to the circumstances of Lillard's exit. It was no secret Lillard wanted out, but his trade request came after years of frustration as a superstar on a team that struggled to build a true contender around him. Additionally, the Blazers drafted G Leaguer Scoot Henderson, who also plays point guard, with the No. 3 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Lillard has lines such as “I said vows just to watch it ended abruptly" and "Amazing what I get in return for this labor," but his feelings are most clear with the final words, "You should know they're the ones who chose another mission."
Lillard's 32.2 points per game is the most by a player to change teams the following season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
"His character, competitiveness, talent and experience complement our group and gives us the best chance to win at the very highest level as we create new memories together," Horst said.
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.
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