Damian Lillard Details ‘Welcome to Toronto’ Prank Played on Him by OG Anunoby

Last week, Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, but not before Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby could get a little prank in.

Lillard, speaking with NBA TV's Chris Haynes during Milwaukee's media day on Monday, said that Anunoby almost convinced him that he was being traded to Toronto days before he was dealt to the Bucks. ESPN reported last week that the Raptors were the front-runners to land Lillard.

"Obviously, everything was up in the air. I was on the phone and I just got a random text from OG, like, 'Welcome to Toronto,' Lillard said. "Nah he was like, 'Welcome to Toronto,' he's always messing around, joking and stuff like that.

"We train together in the summer a little bit, and he texted me like 'Welcome to Toronto,' so I was like 'Man, let me call this dude and see,' and I finally called him, he didn't answer, then he called me back [and] he was laughing, I was like ok. It just caught me off guard, I know it didn't happen like that."

A seven-time All-Star, Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers on July 1, with his preferred destination being the Miami Heat. Instead, the 33-year-old was dealt to Milwaukee via a three-team deal, with the Bucks sending guard Jrue Holiday, an unprotected 2029 draft pick and unprotected 2028 and 2030 swap rights to Portland and guard Grayson Allen to the Phoenix Suns.

Now, he joins Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton in Milwaukee, looking to bring the franchise its second NBA title in four seasons. So far, he seems to be fitting in to his new city, and with his new team, quite nicely.

"Honestly man, it's been a great experience," Lillard said. "When you're in one place for as long as I was in Portland, 11 seasons, same environment, same people, you get comfortable with it and it's pretty much all you know, it's all I know as a professional.

"So to be in a different environment and to see things be done differently, it's definitely been new, it's definitely been a transition. But the way that my family and I were embraced when we got here, and to feel wanted and to feel desired and to feel something fresh and new, I feel, I don't want to say rejuvenated because I feel like I come correct every year, but it's definitely been a boost in energy and focus and my excitement going into this season."