Damian Lillard Traded to Milwaukee Bucks in Three-Team Deal

The Portland Trail Blazers have traded All-NBA guard Damian Lillard to the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Following the initial reports, Lillard confirmed the trade as he posted to his Twitter account saying he is "excited for the next chapter!"

Lillard will go to Milwaukee as part of a three-team deal involving the Phoenix Suns and here's how the trade breaks down, according to Wojnarowski.

Lillard expressed to the Portland front office after the NBA Draft that he'd like to be traded to the Miami Heat as he wanted to compete for a Larry O'Brien Trophy rather than enter a rebuild. While he didn't wind up on South Beach, Lillard did find his way to an Eastern Conference heavyweight with a chance to compete in 2023-24. Also, Lillard's former head coach, Terry Stotts, is an assistant on the Bucks' staff.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has said in recent weeks that he needs the Bucks to show him a dedication to winning another championship before signing an extension with the team. With Wednesday's trade, Milwaukee aimed to ease his concerns.

"Next summer it would make more sense for both parties. Even then, I don't know," Antetokounmpo said in an interview with the New York Times. "I would not be the best version of myself if I don't know that everybody's on the same page, everybody's going for a championship, everybody's going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don't feel that, I'm not signing."