Milwaukee Bucks: Predicting the best and worst-case outcomes after Damian Lillard trade

Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports)
Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports)

Future implications for Milwaukee Bucks with Damian Lillard

It’s clear that there are huge future implications for the Milwaukee Bucks when it comes to Damian Lillard. To say that the Bucks are all-in on the acquisition of Lillard is an understatement. But they should be all-in on Lillard. He’s the type of superstar that any team should’ve been willing to acquire. The hope is that it all works out for the Bucks and there’s a probably good chance that it does.

Even if the Bucks win just one championship over the next 2-3 years, this trade will be looked back as a huge win for the franchise. Without a doubt, there’s a very real chance that this move will end up determining how the next few years pan out for the Bucks. If the Lillard acquisition doesn’t end up working, Giannis probably walks in a couple of seasons. If it does and the Bucks win a title this season or even get to the NBA Finals, Giannis likely re-signs.

The Bucks are playing a high-stakes game with this acquisition. In fairness, there’s probably not a better player you want to be making this gamble for. On paper, Lillard seems like the best possible fit that Milwaukee could’ve gotten to sell Giannis on the future.