Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard’s three-year long FLIRTING ends in blockbuster trade that sees them team-up

`11-year tenure in Portland comes to an end as Lillard gets traded to the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard’s three-year long FLIRTING ends in blockbuster trade that sees them team-up

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Credits: Bleacher Report and SB Nation)

In one of the most anticipated trades of all time in the NBA offseason, it is confirmed that Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard has been reportedly traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade. This move came as an utter shock to the basketball community, placing Lillard right alongside Milwaukee’s superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

This surprising trade involves not just Damian Lillard, but also DeAndre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, and other players. It’s a game-changer for the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and the third team involved, the Phoenix Suns. Interestingly, both Lillard and Giannis have previously expressed their mutual interest in sharing the court together, and this long-awaited partnership has now become a reality.

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During the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, Giannis and LeBron James were chosen as the captains. After they selected their starting lineups for the game, with LeBron having the first overall pick, Giannis automatically had the first choice to select the reserves.

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The reserves lineup boasted an abundance of talent. However, Giannis appeared laser-focused on his selection, ultimately choosing Damian Lillard as his first pick from the reserves.

On another occasion, the tables were turned as Giannis found himself on the receiving end of this admiration. Lillard had previously expressed his desire for Giannis to be the player he’d most like to have as a teammate to secure a playoff berth.

In May 2022, a fan asked Lillard on Twitter, “@Dame_Lillard If you ever wanna pick a player that would help you get into the playoffs (finals maybe). Who would you pick? Only in the present time.” To this, the point guard had only a one-word answer as he wrote, “Giannis.”

Call it manifestation or fate, both players have now joined forces to create a formidable duo, poised to unleash their firepower upon their opponents.

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Details of the Damian Lillard trade to the Bucks

Probably the biggest news of this off-season, Damian Lillard has left the Portland Trail Blazers after 11 beautiful years. Following a three-month saga surrounding his wish to be moved elsewhere in hopes of winning an NBA title, the trade finally comes into fruition.

Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard (Credits: Sports Illustrated)

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, a three-team deal has been officially confirmed. In this trade, Damian Lillard will be joining the Milwaukee Bucks, while Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 first-round draft pick, and two pick swaps will be heading to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, will acquire Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson.

While it’s undoubtedly a time of celebration for Lillard, it’s also a significant moment for Giannis. He had previously cautioned the Bucks that if they didn’t share his commitment to winning, he would explore other opportunities. With the impactful moves the Bucks have made, it’s highly likely that Giannis will have compelling reasons to consider signing an extension following the 2024-25 season.

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