5 winners from Damian Lillard to Bucks trade

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#3. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers avoid a drawn-out drama that could have carried over to the start of training camp, which could have been disastrous. Joe Cronin acquired more first-round draft capital and a talented player in Deandre Ayton.

Cronin could also flip Jrue Holiday for even more draft capital. Portland also saved its reputation. They may not have sent Damian Lillard to the Miami Heat but the Blazers still did him right by trading the point guard to a legit championship contender.

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#2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo put the Milwaukee Bucks front office on notice a few weeks ago. He said he wasn’t signing an extension unless the team remained as committed as himself to winning a championship.

The Bucks just went out to sign Damian Lillard, perhaps the best point guard in the NBA outside of Steph Curry and Luka Doncic. Lillard still has years left on his contract, which should be enough to get Antetokounmpo time to contend for championships.

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#1. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard couldn’t force his way to South Beach. Still, a legitimate chance to win a championship with Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t the worst result of the trade.

Two years ago, “Dame Time” said that “The Greek Freak” was the player he would want to help win a title. He will get a chance to do just that now that they form perhaps the deadliest duo in the NBA.