The Blazers are trading Damian Lillard to the Bucks in a three-team deal that also involves the Suns, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
In the deal, the Blazers will acquire Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara from the Suns and Jrue Holliday, a 2029 first round pick and picks swaps in 2028 and ’30 from Milwaukee. The Suns acquire Jusuf Nurkić, Keon Johnson and Nassir Little from Portland and Grayson Allen from Milwaukee.
Lillard requested a trade from Portland in the offseason following 11 years with the team, but had reportedly preferred to go to the Heat. However, Miami was reportedly hesitant to match the Blazers’ steep asking price, which revolved around how much both teams valued Heat guard Tyler Herro.
Instead, the Bucks, who lost to Miami in the first round of the NBA playoffs last year, made the trade to pair Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lillard will replace Holliday as Milwaukee’s starting point guard, giving the Bucks a big three of Lillard, Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
BREAKING: The Trail Blazers are trading Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/GikBnQ1fYb
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 27, 2023
Lillard is signed through 2027 thanks to a recent contract extension initially with Portland, while Ayton’s deal runs through 2026. The move for Milwaukee also helps their pursuit of re-signing Antetokounmpo, who can become a free agent in the summer of ’26.
