A few of the most contentious NBA deals occurred this off-season, with Damian Lillard going to the Milwaukee Bucks in the end. The point guard talked candidly about how the trade rumors hurt him almost 55 days after the transfer was completed. On the Knuckleheads podcast, he spoke up about the months before he left the Portland Trail Blazers.
Dame emphasized how his off-court life was his top priority and how his post-season journey got off to a good start. The 33-year-old declared, “My summer was fantastic. I was spending a lot of time with my family and my children. I traveled, completed the house, and moved in. As Lillard stated, “I just knew I was gonna be traded and I hate to just keep talking about it,” he felt confident in his ability to get a move away from Portland.
However, the commotion surrounding the whole affair continued to intensify over time, to the point where the seven-time All-Star started to worry. Outsiders suspected him of holding negotiations with numerous parties, which unnerved Dame ahead of the commencement of the preseason. “I think the thing that bothered me the most,” he said, “was probably everyone saying, ‘I heard this and I heard that,’ and me not talking to anyone.”
“This is how this firm usually operates. “So everyone was going to side with the idea that this was probably what was happening, or that Dame had said this to this person or that to that person,” Lillard went on. He decided that the best course of action for him was to “not address nothing and talk about none of this stuff,” so he took a stand against the commotion. The Blazers were unable to come to a decision regarding his future in spite of the reports.
The training camp was quickly approaching, and things got more problematic. “S**t, I will just come back whatever,” the 2013 ROTY said, even considering pulling his trade request at that point. I just want to have fun. Ultimately, the Bucks made sure Lillard didn’t need it by swooping in with the latter sentiment—”S**t I got traded to Miluawakee right before camp started.”
How did the Milwaukee Bucks manage to get Damian Lillard on board?
In order to acquire Dame, the 2021 NBA champions had to part with point guard Jrue Holiday, who helped them win a title. The Phoenix Suns made an incredible three-way trade that sent Deandre Ayton and Holiday to the Portland team. After Jrue expressed his dissatisfaction with his stay in Oregon, the Boston Celtics acquired the 6’4 guard through trade.
The Celtics have since emerged as a strong candidate to win the championship this year. With a 12-4 record and one of the greatest defenses in the league, they are currently atop the Eastern Conference. Jrue showed no ill will toward the transaction, suggesting that he had established himself in Boston. As of late, the two-time All-Star declared, “I’m in the best place that I can be to compete.”
Regarding Dame, his collaboration with Giannis Antetokounmpo had a difficult beginning. As Lillard put it, “We’re still learning each other.” Their development has been flawless. With an 11-5 record, the Bucks are currently ranked third. Lillard’s experience living in Wisconsin hasn’t exactly been idyllic. Nevertheless, he have all the qualities to eventually make it one.