Last offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks made a seismic move by acquiring All-NBA guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a dramatic three-team trade. Lillard’s desire to leave Portland was well-known, and while the Miami Heat were widely expected to be his next destination, Milwaukee swooped in to pair him with former champion and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In the trade, the Bucks sent veteran guard Jrue Holiday to Portland, who subsequently moved him to the Boston Celtics. Holiday played a crucial role in the Celtics’ success, helping them secure their first championship since 2008. The Celtics’ triumph marked a season of dominance, in stark contrast to the Bucks’ rollercoaster year.
Despite the high expectations, the Bucks’ season fell short. Milwaukee, who finished with a 49-33 record, entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The team’s campaign ended abruptly in the first round, as they were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in six games. To add to the disappointment, Antetokounmpo was sidelined for the entire series due to a calf injury.
Evaluating the Lillard-Antetokounmpo pairing after its inaugural season reveals a mixed bag. While the potential for success is evident, the results were underwhelming. Yet, despite the setbacks, Bucks GM Jon Horst remains steadfast in his belief that the trade was the right move. In a recent statement to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Horst defended the trade, saying:
“We’ve talked about this a little bit in some of the other media sessions that I’ve had, but I agree. And I don’t apologize for it. I think it’s just the nature of our business. We had an offseason. We built a team, and then we had an incredible opportunity to acquire an NBA All-75th Anniversary team, top-75 player and pair him with another NBA All-75th Anniversary team, top-75 player late in the offseason and we did it.”
Despite the disappointing season, the Bucks should remain in title contention for the foreseeable future. In his first year with the team, Lillard averaged 24.3 points and 7 assists per game, along with shooting 42.4% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. Though these figures represent a drop from his final year in Portland, Lillard’s performance showcased his continued value to Milwaukee.
The trade was a bold gamble, and while its immediate impact did not meet expectations, it is too early to label it a failure. The potential for the Lillard-Antetokounmpo duo to dominate in the future remains high, making it crucial for the Bucks to stay optimistic and adjust their strategy as they aim to turn the page on a challenging season.
