Damian Lillard reacts to Patrick Beverley joining Bucks / News - Basketnews.com

Damian Lillard expresses optimism about working together with Pat Beverley to pursue a championship despite their past personal issues.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

In the recent trade festival leading up to the Feb. 8 NBA deadline, veteran guard Patrick Beverley has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks from the Philadelphia 76ers. In return, the Sixers acquired Cameron Payne and a second-round pick.

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Beverley joins a team featuring the superstar duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Notably, he shares a history with Lillard, with both players engaging in spirited battles in the past.

"First, I want to say I'm sad to see Cam [Payne] go. We developed a friendship that I cherish. As for Pat, he brings an edge and a defensive tenacity on the perimeter that we need," Lillard said of his new teammate, via Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.

"There are not many players who bring it on a nightly like him. I look forward to working together. Our past personal issues don't trump an opportunity to win a championship," he added.

The history between Beverley and Lillard includes confrontations during the NBA's bubble games in 2020, Twitter exchanges, and heated incidents when Lillard played for Portland and Beverley represented the Lakers.

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