Damian Lillard is a seven-time NBA All-Star and has been the star of a lackluster Portland Trail Blazers squad, since a decade ago, when they first drafted him. Lillard’s 2022-2023 NBA Season was premier, putting up 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. However, in July 2023, Lillard made headlines when he requested a trade after 11 years with the Blazers. In this 11-year tenure, the Blazers only won 4 playoff series, and made the Western Conference Finals once with Lillard in his prime.
Lillard had made it clear his desire to go to the Miami Heat, however, the Blazers chose not to honor that request, after the contributions Lillard had made to the franchise. Thus, the Portland Trail Blazers point-guard Damian Lillard was traded on October 11th in a blockbuster 3-team trade to Milwaukee Bucks involving the Phoenix Suns as well. The swap included other notable names such as Suns center Deandre Ayton and Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, both to the Blazers. With the Blazers #2 overall pick in Scoot Henderson, and the formerly mentioned trades, both ushering in a new era for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard is a seven-time All-NBA selection, averaging at least 24 points per game in each of the last eight seasons, ranking 4th in career average among active players. In his premier 2022-2023 season, Lillard also has his star game in which he scored 71 points against the Houston Rockets, becoming the 7th player in NBA history to do so, joining names such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and David Robinson. Damian Lillard is a championship-caliber player with the accolades and record to prove so, with one thing missing.
However, with two NBA Superstars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks have bolstered a new roster in contention of another title, following their previous 2021 championship. The Milwaukee Bucks have been listed as the fourth favorite following the Nuggets, Celtics, and Suns, following the trade. The Milwaukee Bucks, with the acquisition of Damian Lillard, are the perfect 1-2 punch. The only fallback on Lillard could be his ability to stay uninjured, he has missed 77 games the past two seasons. Suffice it to say, the 2023-2024 season for the Milwaukee Bucks may end in a championship to cement Damian Lillard’s legacy.
