Three summers ago, nearly two months after Damian Lillard requested a trade to the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks swooped in and acquired the 6-foot-2 guard away from the Portland Trail Blazers in an eight-player blockbuster.
Now, the three teams are intermingled once again, this time for Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While the Heat are viewed by many as the presumptive favorites to acquire the two-time MVP ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, another team that has crept up in its pursuit is the Portland Trail Blazers, NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line confirmed Monday.
“More and more, with sources saying Miami and Portland are already in pursuit, Antetokounmpo’s future is increasingly expected to be resolved over the next few weeks in conjunction with NBA Draft proceedings,” Stein wrote.
Stein’s report comes days after NBA insider Chris Haynes tabbed the Blazers as having “serious interest” in acquiring Antetokounmpo.
“I’ve heard Portland has serious interest to get a deal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo,” he said on an appearance with Deals and Dunks last week on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “To potentially bring back the All-Star pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
“Remember, their time together playing in Milwaukee, in those two years, they were the highest-scoring duo. … Injuries to both of them didn’t allow for us to see what they can do in the playoffs. It was a two-year tenure that didn’t live up to expectations. … They’re investigating behind the scenes and trying to see what would makes sense.”
“I do believe if Portland were to come with something really serious, I do believe Giannis would at least consider it. It wouldn’t be a situation where he would just say, ‘Nah. Throw it in the trash.’”
Lillard tore his achilles in the Bucks’ first-round loss to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers two seasons ago, keeping him out of the 2025-26 season. In his last full season with Milwaukee, he averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. He returned to Portland, where he spent his first 11 seasons, last offseason on a three-year, $42 million deal.
For Miami, this hypothetical scenario would be a swift kick-in-the-nuts, especially with what transpired in 2023. They have been desperate for Antetokounmpo for the last half-dozen years, foaming at the mouth for any opportunity to acquire the 10-time All-Star.
The Blazers own two Bucks’ swaps (2028, 2030) plus their unprotected 2029 first, in addition to a solid collection of young players, including Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson.
Meanwhile, the Heat’s top package includes Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson plus three first-round picks and two swaps.
Of course, this all could be a source of leverage. But when there’s smoke, there’s some sort of fire. Do you think the Blazers’ interest is real? Let us know in the comments!
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what team wouldnt have interest maybe my generals can get him if we dont.ad trae silly puddy curly neal meadowlark lemon and 2 seconds
While Portland has shown improvement, Giannis would be out of his mind to accept a move there, and he does have leverage.
I would take this serious as Chris Haynes is basically a mouthpiece for Giannis being married into the family and all.