Woj bomb! GodDame is traded! The Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, and Milwaukee Bucks completed a three-team trade less than 24 hours ago. I will be breaking down this trade from all angles in my 2023-24 Fantasy Basketball: Damian Lillard Traded To Bucks article.
The trade details are as follows:
- Phoenix receives Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson
- Portland receives Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara and a 2029 1st Round pick from the Bucks
- Milwaukee receives Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard, who now teams up with two-time MVP and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks, is, of course, the focal point of this historic transaction. Giannis might finally sign that extension now.
Needless to say, Jimmy Butler was not too pleased with this outcome. Doesn't he have the best hairstyles?
oh deer. pic.twitter.com/ifAP8RxPGH
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) September 27, 2023
2023-24 Fantasy Basketball: Damian Lillard Traded To Bucks
Damian Lillard to the Bucks
Lillard was being undervalued and overreacted to by being selected in the second round of mock drafts. After this trade, I feel even more confident in taking him in the middle to late first round. Even when he's playing with Giannis, his usage will stay high, and we'll notice a tiny increase in assists now that he's paired up with one of the league's most dominant frontcourt players.
Khris Middleton's usage will suffer if another player with 30 points is added. Since he just experienced a bad year, I predict that Lillard's arrival will have a detrimental effect on his ADP going into the season. He'll be good for category leagues, but his lower volume makes him unattractive for points leagues. His peripherals will be beneficial for roto leagues as a Tobias Harris-like asset if his efficiency falls back to the norm.
I'll closely watch the Bucks' preseason to see how Giannis and a Lillard-led offense work together. Giannis should continue to be a first-round pick in points and category leagues since I don't think there will be much of a drop-off after adding an All-NBA player. The league format will determine where he goes in the first round.
Damian Lillard and Giannis on the bucks for the next 5 years... #FearTheDeer
— ໊ (@ClassyDameFan) September 27, 2023
Deandre Ayton to the Blazers
With the Blazers, the five-year pro transitions from being the fourth offensive option to possibly the first or second. As the lone big guy with Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and rookie Scoot Henderson, Ayton should feast. He should now be a solidified top-50 Fantasy player this year.
He is effective, and this season, he should be a threat to drop 20 points and 10 rebounds. Although Fantasy managers would prefer to see him put more effort into his defense, he is the clear winner of this transaction.
Adrian Wojnarowski claims that the Blazers are determined to construct their team around their young guards and are looking to trade Holiday for assets. Given that Jrue's condition is unstable, it is too early to determine his value. Still, I'd easily select him in a points and category league's fourth round.
Whether or not Lillard was dealt, Anfernee Simons' position was secure. Simons averaged 20.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game in 55 games without Damian Lillard, and he will probably now play a bigger scoring role. His Fantasy value would unquestionably rise if his assist totals rose this season.
The front office has already made a commitment to Scoot Henderson, which is the best possible news for him and his Fantasy value. His ADP should increase, and I anticipate him to contend for Rookie of the Year while ranking among the top 100 Fantasy players.
Deandre Ayton already changed his fit on 2K ???
(h/t @AndrewLeezus ) pic.twitter.com/FtgeMPm6UF
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 27, 2023
Jusuf Nurkic to the Suns
Nurkic's job in Phoenix won't likely change all that much. Instead, he is in a scenario where he will have less work to perform. A double-double is expected with a few assists per game from the center position. Once this transaction is completed, Nurkic will be within the best 100 players.
#RipCity ! From bottom of my heart THANK YOU for everything! ❤️
My family and I want to say THANK YOU to the entire @trailblazers organization and fans.
Much love ?
Nurk pic.twitter.com/r5Dr18CISK
— Jusuf Nurkić ?? (@bosnianbeast27) September 27, 2023
2023-24 Fantasy Basketball: Damian Lillard Traded To Bucks: Conclusion
The Bucks' training camp is due to start next week, this move couldn't have come at a better time. Expect Giannis and Dame to tip the eastern conference in their favor. Don’t count the Suns out as they have quietly made moves that will benefit Kevin Durant’s quest for another ring.
The Miami Heat off-season
Didn’t get Dame
Lost Vincent and Strus
Herro mad at managment
Jimmy and Lowry old????????pic.twitter.com/rO8uOVOEj1
— Teg? (@IQfor3) September 27, 2023
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