Giannis asked his franchise to extend their title window & the Milwaukee Bucks have answered in a big way, acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The three team trade saw the Bucks give up Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen and a 2029 First Round pick but in return they are getting a 7x All-NBA, 7x All Star Guard, that averaged 32 points per game last season. They gave up a great player & elite defender in Holiday, who won a ring with the team in 2021, but they've added a legit superstar, which is more than enough of a justification.

Speaking on the '48 Minutes' podcast, two weeks to the day, Giannis said "I'm a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I'm a winner. ... If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O'Brien I have to take that better situation." That sent a bit of shockwave through Milwaukee and the NBA. All of a sudden arguably the best player in the league might be up for grabs over the next couple of years. However, it seems those rumors have now been put to bed.

Giannis added "You've got to see the dynamics. How the coach is going to be, how we're going to be together. At the end of the day, I feel like all my teammates know and the organization knows that I want to win a championship. As long as we're on the same page with that and you show me and we go together to win a championship, I'm all for it." Antetokounmpo challenged the Bucks to make a statement and they delivered in a way that few could have seen coming.

• What does Lillard add to Milwaukee

Dame adds a ton to a Bucks team that has been 'almost' good enough since winning the title in 2021. He is a three level scorer that can hit consistently from deep, a much needed weapon the team didn't have before, while almost eliminating the ability for opposing teams to double team Giannis. Also offering a pick & roll threat that could shake the league.

A lethal closer, Lillard can take some of the burden off of Giannis to close out games and becomes a legit option to take over in the clutch, something he has shown himself to be very adept at over the course of his career.

He will be the first multi time All-NBA teammate of Giannis Antetokounmpo, huge for both Giannis & the Bucks. Hugely improving their chances to regain the Eastern Conference title this season. Lillard also extends their title window, with Dame under contract for the next four years, also showing Giannis & the NBA world they are all in on dominating.

• What does Milwaukee offer Lillard

Damian Lillard joins a Milwaukee team that had the best record in basketball last season (58-24), for the first time he will be playing for a team that is a playoff guarantee and all but certain to be a top 3 seed.

They offer stability he has not had in the last few years in Portland & he is finally in a position where success is expecting and not just hoped for. The Bucks don't just offer some of what Dame has been longing for, they offer everything and then some. No more excuses for Lillard, he wanted the chance to succeed and now he has arguably the most ideal platform in the NBA today.

This is an amazing trade to see as a fan of the NBA, yeah it's tough for fans of the Miami Heat & other Eastern Conference teams hoping to see their teams challenge this season. But Damian Lillard is a superstar, he deserves to playing for a franchise that are all singing from the same hymn sheet. And at the very least, we will see Dame Time back in the NBA playoffs and that is something to look forward to.

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Photo Credit: NBA Analysis

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