NBA all-star point guard Damian Lillard is headed to the Milwaukee Bucks after a 3-team trade Wednesday afternoon.

According to Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Lillard was traded to the Bucks as a part of a 3-team deal with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected Milwaukee 1st, and unprotected Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2020 to the Portland Trailblazers. The Phoenix Suns received Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.

Lillard himself, many fans and athletes responded to the trade via social media. Early this summer, it was reported that Lillard wanted to be traded to the Miami Heat, but he obviously did not get his wish. Although he did not get his wish, Lillard appears to be thankful for Portland and is to be ready for Milwaukee via his tweet.

Lillard will now team up with all-star Kris Middleton and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who both won an NBA title back in 2021.

The big question is who won this trade? The Blazers get one of the best guards in the league in all-star Damian Lillard, but lose one of their best players and a key piece to the 2021 championship in Jrue Holiday. The suns lose Ayton, but may have a better fit with Nurkic and also gained some key bench pieces in Grayson Allen and Nasir Little.

From my personal perspective, I think the Blazers won this trade. The Trailblazers already have two young guards in rookie Scoot Henderson and 24-year-old Anfernee Simons. Bringing in a veteran like Jrue Holiday, former number one overall pick in 25-year-old Ayton and some picks in the draft is huge for this organization.

Now it is reported from several sources that Jrue Holiday won’t be a long-term thing and will be traded soon. If that is the case, maybe my opinion will change, but he is still on the team for now. The Blazers could also get a few pieces from a trade for him as well.

For the Bucks, they are gaining some more scoring and shooting in Lillard, but losing one of the best defensive guards in the game. I think Lillard will be a big enough replacement to take the loss defensively, but whoever is able land Holiday may be the winners when it is all said and done, especially if it is a playoff contender. It remains to be seen who will win this trade as the NBA season begins in just 27 days.