Portland Trail Blazers Trade Damian Lillard to Milwaukee Bucks and Acquire Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara from Phoenix Suns
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 27, 2023) – In a significant trade that reshapes the rosters of multiple teams, the Portland Trail Blazers have announced that they have traded their star guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. In exchange, the Trail Blazers have acquired center Deandre Ayton and forward Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns.
As part of the deal, Portland also received guard Jrue Holiday and additional draft picks from Milwaukee. The Bucks sent guard Grayson Allen to the Suns in the trade.
The trade marks the end of an era for the Trail Blazers, as Lillard has been a cornerstone of the franchise for over a decade. Lillard, who was drafted by Portland in 2012, has achieved numerous individual accolades and has led the team to multiple playoff appearances during his tenure.
General Manager Joe Cronin expressed gratitude to Lillard for his contributions to the team and the community. “From becoming the all-time leading points scorer in franchise history to his dedicated commitment to youth across Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest, Damian is and will remain a titan and a true trailblazer to this city,” Cronin said.
In addition to Lillard, the Trail Blazers also traded Keon Johnson, Nassir Little, and Jusuf Nurkic to the Phoenix Suns as part of the deal.
In return, Portland received the talented center Deandre Ayton, who averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game during the 2022-23 season. Ayton, the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, brings a strong defensive presence and scoring ability to the Trail Blazers’ frontcourt.
The Trail Blazers also acquired Toumani Camara, a rookie forward who was selected as the 52nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Camara displayed promise during his college career, averaging 11.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in four seasons.
The addition of Jrue Holiday, an experienced and skilled guard, further strengthens the Trail Blazers’ backcourt. Holiday, a 14-year veteran, averaged 19.3 points and 7.4 assists per game with the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
The trade not only significantly alters the composition of the Trail Blazers’ roster but also affects the future draft picks for both Portland and Milwaukee. The Trail Blazers acquired a 2029 first-round pick from the Bucks and the rights to swap first-round picks in 2028 and 2030.
While the departure of Lillard and other players will undoubtedly be felt by the Trail Blazers organization, the new acquisitions provide hope for the team’s future. The new roster, led by Ayton and supported by Camara and Holiday, aims to build upon the team’s previous successes and contend for championships in the coming seasons.
The Milwaukee Bucks, on the other hand, gain the services of Damian Lillard, one of the league’s most dynamic guards. Lillard’s scoring ability and leadership will undoubtedly bolster their championship aspirations.
The Phoenix Suns also benefit from the trade, acquiring Keon Johnson, Nassir Little, and Jusuf Nurkic. These additions will further strengthen their roster as they continue their pursuit of a championship.
As the 2023-24 NBA season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate how these trade transactions will shape the league landscape and the performance of the involved teams.