I knew it was coming but it still hurts. Damian Lillard is my favorite all-time Trail Blazer and beyond hope I wanted him to retire in Portland. Lillard now goes to the Bucks where he'll team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo. At my core I don't like trade requests but it's part of the game. Also at my core I'm glad he'll go somewhere where he can compete for a title and play with a great like Giannis. I hope he does great and gets that ring.
Portland's haul isn't bad but not great. Sounds like Jrue Holiday will not be with the team long since his age (33) doesn't match up with the teams young core. But Holiday should bring back something good. He's still an excellent defender and can shoot the three. The definition of a 3 and D guy. Something a contender would covet. Deandre Ayton is probably the prize catch here. He's only 25 and averaged 18 and 10 last season. That said I'm not big on him, but we'll see if I can get behind the big man in a Portland uniform. The Draft picks will probably be fodder in the future for another trade down the road. It's not the haul Brooklyn got for KD but it good and much better than anything Miami could come up with. What they get for Holiday could really make this look even better. As is I give it a B+.
Portland receives: From Milwaukee, guard Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee's unprotected 2029 first-round pick, the right to swap first-round picks with Milwaukee in 2028 and 2030, From Phoenix, center Deandre Ayton, and forward Toumani Camara from the Suns in the deal.
Phoenix receives: From Portland, center Jusuf Nurkic, forward Nassir Little, and guard Keon Johnson, from Milwaukee, wing Grayson Allen
