Bucks acquire Damian Lillard in shocking trade with Blazers, Suns

Damian Lillard has finally been traded, and he's heading to theMilwaukee Bucks. The Portland Trail Blazers sent Lillard toMilwaukee as part of a three-team trade with the Phoenix Suns,according to ESPN's AdrianWojnarowski.

The Blazers will receive Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, ToumaniCamara, Milwaukee's 2029 unprotected first-round draft pick andunprotected Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2030. The Suns willreceive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and KeonJohnson.

Lillard and his camp made it clear that he wanted to be tradedto the Miami Heat, but the Blazers weren't interested in Miami'soffer. This trade still sends Lillard to a contender, and he getsto play with a fellow superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lillard and Antetokounmpo have previously talked about wantingto team up. Last year, GQ asked Lillard which one player he'd wantto team up with in pursuit of an NBA championship.

“I would pick Giannis," Lillard responded. "Just the dominance, somebody that’sgoing to get to the rim. He’s a good playmaker, a good defender,disruptive. And the way he plays complements the way I play. Iwould bring something to the table that complements what he doesand vice versa. Seamless [fit]."

A few months ago, Antetokounmpo was asked the same question andhe also chose Lillard. Now, the pair will form one of the bestone-two punches in the NBA.

Recently, Antetokounmpo had made some comments about his futurewith the Bucks being up in the air and how he wasn't contentwith simply winning one championship in Milwaukee. Perhaps he wastrying to get the Bucks' front office to budge and make thisblockbuster acquisition? Now, it certainly seems as if he'll remainin Milwaukee for the considerable future, especially since Lillardhas three guaranteed years (plus a player option in 2026-27)remaining on his current contract with the Bucks.

Now, with Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez,Bobby Portis, Malik Beasley and Co., the Bucks have to beconsidered a favorite to win the Eastern Conference.

For Portland, this trade gives them another young cornerstone inDeandre Ayton to put alongside Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.They will reportedly try to flip Jrue Holiday (a favorite of NBAexecutives) for additional assets. Now, the franchise can move onfrom the Lillard saga and focus on their rebuild rather than havingthis situation drag into the season.

Last season, Lillard had arguably the best year of his career,averaging 32.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 threes,while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from three-point rangeand 91.4% from the free-throw line. He is a seven-time All-Star,seven-time All-NBA selection and a member of the NBA's 75thAnniversary Team.