Dame, Jrue, and the NBA Arms Race in the Eastern Conference
You can finally close the book on the Damian Lillard trade saga. He’s leaving the City of Roses and moving to the Land of Cheese; Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
When initial reports broke, no one expected it to be Milwaukee. With reports trending in the direction of Toronto, and Miami still far off value wise; the Bucks were on no one’s radar.
With Jrue headed the other way, it was made clear from the jump that he was available for trade. Teams like the Sixers, Celtics, and of course the Heat were all connected to Holiday, almost immediately.
Once the smoke cleared, it was the Celtics that snagged Jrue, for a small ransom; two firsts, Malcom Brogdon, and starting center Robert Williams.
With so many moving pieces on each side, multiple teams now involved, and multiple players now playing on new teams; it can be hard to keep track.
Let’s break down the trades and players involved, then we can get into the winners and losers of this blockbuster.
Trade(s) Breakdown
Damian Lillard Trade
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, 2029 1st round pick (via Milwaukee), unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030.
Phoenix Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.
Jrue Holiday Trade
Boston Celtics: Jrue Holiday
Portland Trail Blazers: Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Golden State’s 2024 first-round pick, Milwaukee Bucks’ 2029 first-round pick
Winner – Milwaukee Bucks
First winner, the Miwaukee Bucks and their fanbase. They just landed another Top 75 player, perennial All-Star, and straight up Killer, Damian Lillard.
The Bucks not only landed one of the most exciting superstars of the last 10 years, but also took care of any questions being asked by their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis was in the media talking about the team’s commitment to winning, and wanting to make sure everyone is as invested as he is.
Safe to say the Bucks’ ownership showed that they’re here to win, and win now.
Winner – Boston Celtics
Just over three months ago, the Celtics traded away starting point guard and former DPOY, Marcus Smart. It was a tough day for C’s fan to see Smart go, but in exchange they received seven footer, Kristaps Porzingis.
Now less than a week before the pre-season begins, they’ve replaced Smart with another ELITE wing defender, Jrue Holiday.
Smart was a huge part of the Celtics’ defensive identity, so acquiring Jrue is a huge move for this roster. A potential starting lineup of Jrue, Tatum, Brown, White/Horford, and Porzingis has C’s fans everywhere excited.
The Celtics’ commitment to winning, and willingness to enter the luxury tax should prove to be a win for Holiday too.
Both the Celtics and Jrue look primed for a long and fruitful relationship together.
Loser – Miami Heat (Pat Riley)
The Miami Heat and being connected to every superstar that requests a trade, is their a more iconic duo?
The Heat have now been connected to so many different superstars on the move, and have yet to capitalize on any. At some point, management needs to be looked at.
Guys like Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and now Damian Lillard, have all had the Heat at the top of their preferred destinations. With none of those trades coming to fruition.
Initially, a reluctance to trade Tyler Herro, proved to be a huge mistake. Now Herro’s value around the league isn’t the same.
Initial talks with the Blazers included low-ball offers of Herro and a couple of picks, but ended with Jovic/Herro and multiple 1sts/2nds. It was too late by then, Blazers owner Jody Allen was too petty to let it happen.
Winner – Phoenix Suns
The one team involved in the trade that didn’t acquire any new star power, the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns slid in as the third team to help facilitate the Lillard move. They were able to move Ayton, someone who’s been very vocal about his lack of role and unwillingness to be there; and fill out their bench.
They added a rebounding big man that doesn’t require a lot touches in the offense, but can stretch the floor when needed in Jusuf Nurkic.
Phoenix also acquired another three point wing shooter, Grayson Allen; and energy guy, Nassir Little.
Loser – Philadelphia 76ers
With all the news surrounding James Harden and Darrel Morey, the Sixers’ really kind of fumbled their chance at getting some decent value in return for Harden.
Early reports were swirling saying the Sixers did have interest in Jrue, and that Harden could be possibly on the move to Portland.
Not only does the Harden circus continue, but the Sixers just watched their top two rivals in the east both, arguably, get significantly better.
Winners – NBA Fans
The real winners are NBA Fans everywhere. The NBA, as a product, is probably the of the highest quality it’s ever been and with the season just a few weeks away; everyone should be excited.
Who’s Lifting Larry O’Brien?
After everything settled, the Bucks and Celtics have shot up to top of the list of teams to win it all in 2024.
The Celtics were the favorite for most of the summer, but once the Dame news broke it was the Bucks that took the top spot.
The Celtics’ acquisition of Jrue has now undoubtedly brought them to at least level playing field now with Milwaukee.
Nikola Jokic is still the best player in the world, and let’s not forget about the Phoenix Suns and the trio they’ve put together down in the dessert.
With so many moving pieces this off-season, the Eastern Conference is preparing for an Arms Race. Both the Celtics and Bucks have jumped out ahead, but it remains to be seen what other moves yet to be made, and who else joins the race for the Eastern Conference Crown.
While it’s too early for me to say who will lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2024, the argument could definitely be made for a few different squads.
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