On a prior occasion, Damian Lillard was posed the question of selecting a teammate, and his choice was Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lillard was traded from Portland to Milwaukee to play alongside Antetokounmpo. This trade ended his 11-year stint with the Trail Blazers and a three-month period where he wanted to be traded in hopes of winning an NBA championship.

The seven-time All-Star, who is considered among the NBA's elite and was honored with a spot on the NBA's 75th-anniversary team, has moved from the Trail Blazers to the Bucks in a three-team trade. This deal also involves Jrue Holiday moving from the Bucks to Portland, Deandre Ayton from Phoenix to Portland, and Jusuf Nurkic from the Blazers to the Suns. The trade was officially completed on Wednesday night after NBA lawyers, as is customary for trades, reviewed and gave their approval to the terms.

The trade breaks down this way:

Milwaukee receives: Damian Lillard

Portland receives: Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Bucks 2029 first-round pick, and two pick swaps from the Bucks

Phoenix receives: Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Keyon Johnson, Grayson Allen

“Excited for my next chapter!” Lillard wrote a message on X. “The casuals won’t be addressed but the trailblazers fans and city of Portland that I love truly will be … and they will be addressed truthfully. Stay tuned,”

On July 1, it was revealed that Lillard had requested a trade from the Trail Blazers. This had been a subject of speculation for some time, as he had expressed his wish to join a competitive team, and the current Portland roster didn't appear to offer a strong chance of success.

Portland chose not to fulfill that request, and as a result, the Bucks have formed a formidable duo of Lillard and Antetokounmpo as they enter the upcoming season.

In May 2022, on Twitter, Lillard was questioned about selecting a current player to assist him in reaching the playoffs. His response was succinct, consisting of just one word: “Giannis.”

The trade is part of the Bucks' significant offseason overhaul, prompted by their unexpected first-round playoff defeat against Miami.

They proceeded by dismissing coach Mike Budenholzer and appointing Adrian Griffin as his replacement. Griffin, who served as a Toronto Raptors assistant for the past five seasons, has taken the helm. Additionally, they have swapped the two-time All-Star Holiday for Lillard, a seven-time All-NBA honoree.

The addition of Lillard to the Bucks' roster follows a statement made by Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, during the summer when he expressed his desire to assess the Bucks' commitment to securing another championship before making a decision on signing a long-term contract to remain in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo's current contract extends until the 2024-25 season, with the possibility for a player option in 2025-26.

The arrival of Lillard in Milwaukee undoubtedly signifies a strong commitment. It also prevents the high-scoring guard from joining Miami, a formidable competitor in the Eastern Conference, which is a significant benefit for the Bucks.

Ultimately, the agreement with the Bucks is what Cronin and the Blazers determined to be the most advantageous outcome for everyone. This trade required a substantial package, particularly due to Lillard's significant earnings in the upcoming four years. In the current season, he's set to earn nearly $46 million, and if he chooses to exercise his option for the 2026-27 season, his total earnings could reach as high as $216 million over the next four years.

This will be a substantial investment, and quite possibly a highly rewarding one, as obtaining Lillard is expected to elevate the Bucks' chances of contending for the championship. He maintained an impressive average of 32.2 points in the previous season, and over the last eight seasons, he consistently scored at least 24 points per game. His offensive prowess is a rare asset, possessed by only a handful of NBA players.

Lillard was well-liked in Portland, but speculation about his future with the team was heightened when the Blazers selected point guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 overall pick in the June draft instead of trading the pick for a proven commodity who could immediately help transform the team into a contender.

In Lillard's 11 seasons, Portland only won four postseason series, reaching the Western Conference Finals once. This past season, the squad went 33-49, falling way outside the playoff picture for the second year in a row.

This isn't Lillard's fault. His career average of 25.2 points per game ranks 11th among all NBA players with at least 500 games played. He has 17 games with 50 or more points.