Trail Blazers and Bucks finalize blockbuster three-team trade, sending Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Portland Trail Blazers have reached an agreement on a three-team trade involving Damian Lillard, according to sources familiar with the deal. Lillard, a seven-time All-Star guard, had requested a trade on July 1, leading to a lengthy stalemate.

Under the terms of the trade, Portland will receive guard Jrue Holiday, an unprotected 2029 first-round draft pick, and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee. They will also acquire center Deandre Ayton and forward Toumani Camara from Phoenix. On the other hand, the Suns will receive center Jusuf Nurkic and forwards Nassir Little and Keon Johnson from the Blazers. Additionally, they will acquire guard Grayson Allen from the Bucks. ESPN was the first to report the details of the trade.

This highly anticipated trade comes after months of speculation linking Lillard to the Miami Heat. The agreement provides some much-needed clarity for both teams just days before their respective media days and the start of training camp.

The Bucks, who won the NBA championship in 2021, will now have Lillard alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, forward Khris Middleton, and center Brook Lopez. With this formidable lineup, new Bucks coach Adrian Griffin should have enough offensive firepower to improve their 18th-ranked offense from last season.

Meanwhile, the Blazers will embark on a youth movement centered around 25-year-old Ayton, 2023 No. 3 draft pick Scoot Henderson, 2022 lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe, and scoring guard Anfernee Simons. Holiday could either serve as a valuable trade asset or mentor for their young guards.

Milwaukee has faced pressure from Antetokounmpo to make bold moves this offseason. Swapping Holiday for Lillard addresses the team's late-game offensive struggles that have plagued them in past postseasons. Antetokounmpo, who is under contract until the 2025-26 season, may face a decision next summer regarding a contract extension or a potential trade.

Lillard, who spent his entire 11-year career in Portland, became the franchise's all-time leading scorer and a seven-time All-NBA selection. Known for his deep shooting range and clutch performances, Lillard led the Blazers to the playoffs eight times and hit series-clinching shots in 2014 and 2019. However, the team has missed the postseason in the last two years as they entered a rebuilding phase.

Last season, Lillard played only 29 games due to an abdominal injury that required surgery. Portland traded several veterans and struggled in the standings. Despite his career-high average of 32.2 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists, the Blazers shut him down in March and lost 16 of their last 17 games in preparation for the draft lottery.

While Lillard had hoped for the Blazers to pursue veteran talent to return to the playoffs, the team instead selected Henderson, a 19-year-old point guard seen as Lillard's potential successor. This decision prioritized the franchise's future over its present and ultimately led to Lillard's trade request. Some observers criticized Lillard's desire to join a super team, as he had previously expressed loyalty to Portland.
Portland refrained from making any significant additions this summer, as General Manager Joe Cronin had previously stated his intention to patiently explore the trade market. However, after more than two months, the Blazers finally found a deal that will relieve them from the pressure to immediately build a winning team and instead embark on a multiyear rebuilding effort. Lillard's tenure of 11 years in Portland was among the longest in the league, only surpassed by Golden State Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Following news of the trade agreement, Lillard took to social media to assure Trail Blazers fans and the city of Portland that he will address them truthfully. He expressed his love for the city and promised that they would be kept informed. Lillard also expressed excitement for his next chapter.

Milwaukee, in acquiring Lillard, will take on the remaining four years and $216 million on his contract. With Lillard joining forces with Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Lopez, the Bucks hope that this trade will extend their championship contention window for at least another two seasons. Additionally, they hope it will persuade Antetokounmpo, who has the option to become a free agent in 2025, to remain in Milwaukee.

This trade mirrors the Bucks' acquisition of Holiday in 2020, which played a crucial role in convincing Antetokounmpo to stay and contributed to their championship victory in 2021. With Holiday set to become a free agent next summer at the age of 33, his exceptional defensive skills and extensive playoff experience are likely to attract interest from contending teams.

Phoenix's decision to trade Ayton for Nurkic was primarily driven by financial considerations. The Suns had encountered salary cap constraints due to recent trades for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and Ayton had expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the team. Ayton, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last season. However, he is owed over $100 million over the next three seasons. On the other hand, Nurkic, aged 29, averaged 13.3 points and 9.1 rebounds last season and is set to earn approximately $54 million over the next three years.
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