According to sources speaking to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday, the Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade that also involves the Phoenix Suns so that they can play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to sources cited by Wojnarowski, Portland will acquire Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, and Toumani Camara, Milwaukee’s unprotected first-round draft pick in 2029, as well as unprotected Milwaukee trade rights in 2028 and 2030.
Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson will join the Suns, according to sources spoke to by Wojnarowski.
After Lillard officially asked to be dealt in early July, the Blazers chose to be patient and reach a deal months later.
After 11 seasons with Portland, Lillard leaves the team after being selected to seven All-Star and All-NBA teams, leading the team to the playoffs eight times, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2018–19. He is the team’s all-time leader in points, 3-pointers, and assists.
On Wednesday, he posted on X to express his excitement for the upcoming chapter.
Lillard, 33, had a breakthrough season last year, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists, but he only participated in 58 games due to missing the last month of the campaign. Lillard’s 71-point performance on February 26 against the Houston Rockets was the high point of his season.
According to ESPN Stats & Information analysis, Lillard averages 32.2 points per game, which is the most by a player to switch teams the following season.
Despite Lillard’s statistics, Portland missed the playoffs for the second straight year, which was a first in his career. After each of the two seasons, the Blazers decided to keep their draft pick, most recently selecting guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 2 overall pick. Soon after, Lillard requested a trade.
According to sources who spoke with Wojnarowski, the Blazers are still working on other transactions but plan to start trade negotiations with contending teams as soon as the holiday season arrives. Portland is dedicated to developing their young, promising guard group.
After the transaction, the Bucks became the overwhelming favorites to win the NBA championship, with odds of roughly 4-1 at American sportsbooks. Milwaukee had been listed as the fourth favorite, after the Suns, the Boston Celtics, and the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
