How did Damian Lillard’s trade to the Bucks come together quietly after months of Miami speculation? The Athletic goes behind the scenes of the blockbuster deal.
Damian Lillard ins introduced during the All-Star Practice at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.As the NBA offseason calendar shifted to September and there was no trade in sight to his preferred trade destination of the Miami Heat, Damian Lillard incorporated himself back into the Portland Trail Blazers’ ecosystem. For the last two weeks, team sources say Lillard has been working out at the Blazers practice facility, interacting with players and coaches.
In 2020, with Antetokounmpo’s future uncertain ahead of what was a super-maximum contract extension, the Bucks traded for Holiday to push the team closer to a championship. Eight months later, they secured their first NBA championship in 50 seasons with a victory over the Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals.
For their part, the Heat, league sources say, were prepared in July and August to offer up to three first-round draft picks — with Tyler Herro going to a third team — and multiple second-rounders and swaps along with expiring contracts and 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jović. But the Blazers were disinterested with each side developing a level of contentiousness.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers wins the 3-Point Contest as part of NBA All-Star Weekend, in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. In Phoenix, Nurkić is seen as a better fit for the Suns’ style of play and culture, and his contract , compared to Ayton’s deal gives the franchise additional flexibility moving forward on a roster with three max salaries in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
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