The trade has resulted in the Greek Freak experiencing contradictory emotions.
The seismic impact of the blockbuster trade that sent Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks has been felt throughout the National Basketball Association. The move has completely rearranged the backcourt for the Milwaukee Bucks, as Damian Lillard has replaced Jrue Holiday as the team’s complementing superstar to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has won two NBA MVP awards.
Even though Giannis is thrilled that Dame Time will be playing at Fiserv Forum, the Greek Freak views the deal as a bittersweet one, primarily due to the fact that his close friend Holiday will be playing for another team in the 2023–2024 season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo elaborated at length, in responses to questions posed by Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, on how much Holiday meant to him and how much he has enjoyed being his teammate over the course of the previous three seasons.
Antetokounmpo remarked, “Jrue is my f*****g brother for life,” and he meant it. I adore his entire family. He has my love. I have respect for him. I hope that everything works out well for him. He bestowed upon me the f***** championship, and I thank him for it.
It was widely believed that the addition of Holiday, a dogged defender who also possessed a shooting touch that allowed him to average 20 points per game, was the crucial move that put the Bucks over the top in the 2021 NBA Finals. Giannis wants to make sure that the two-time All-Star gets the credit he deserves for helping Milwaukee end a championship drought that lasted for fifty years during that season.
He told Haynes, “I went to battle with him multiple times,” and added, “I won.” “To hell with basketball. F**k the garbage that is the media. This man will be my brother for the rest of his life, and it will remain that way forever. He is going to be successful no matter where he lands.
The reaction of Jimmy Butler, formerly of the Heat, to the transaction that sent Lillard to the Trail Blazers is presented here.
Before an agreement was reached between the Blazers, Bucks, and Suns on Wednesday, the likelihood of a trade involving Lillard occurring at all remained remote for several weeks. Lillard had a strong desire to play for the Miami Heat, but his current team, the Portland Trail Blazers, never seriously pursued a trade with the defending Eastern Conference champions. Furthermore, when Lillard brought up the potential of revoking his trade request, the Trail Blazers’ general manager, Joe Cronin, stated unequivocally that this was not going to happen.
Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe may have benefited from having Lillard, Portland’s all-time top scorer, as a mentor. Lillard had the potential to be a fascinating role model. However, that duo currently holds the keys to the vehicle, and Giannis and Lillard will continue their pursuit of trophies in Milwaukee.
