“He Wanted to Go to Miami”: Ex-Lakers Star Gets Honest About Damian Lillard’s Title Chances After Ditching Jimmy Butler for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Damian Lillard trade saga rambled on for the entire offseason. But in the end, all parties got what they wished for. Portland got a good haul for their franchise cornerstone and Dame got his wish to be traded to a title-contending team. His preferred destination was the Miami Heat, but the Heat didn’t have the assets to trade for Dame. In the end, the Bucks came out of nowhere and swooped him from under the nose of the Heat and the Raptors.

A former Laker thinks Dame was right in ditching Butler and the Heat for the Bucks, as they are better positioned for an assault on the title.

Was Dame really better off in Milwaukee?

After ten years of loyal service to Portland, Dame finally decided to ask for a trade after another disappointing season. Lillard preferred the Miami Heat over other franchises because they were the best-placed team in which he could contend for the title. The Heat surprised everyone when they reached the NBA finals against all odds. They defeated title contenders like the Bucks and the Celtics, before losing to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA finals.

But instead of trading him on the cheap, the Blazers held on. They were rewarded for their patience, as the Bucks acquired him in a three-team trade. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, former Laker Matt Barnes said, “I’m excited for Dame. Obviously, he wanted to go to Miami. That didn’t happen, but for him to have the opportunity to win, I think is the key and the goal and him teaming up with Giannis (Antetokounmpo) is definitely gonna give him a great opportunity to win a championship”. He added further, “I think probably even a better opportunity than he would had in Miami”.

Bucks Odds-on Favorite to Win the Title

The bookmakers are backing the Bucks to win the title, ahead of the Celtics and the Nuggets. According to Oddschecker, the Bucks have a 4/1 chance of winning, whereas the Celtics’ chances of winning are 5/1. The addition of Dame to an already stacked roster means that the Bucks are the team to beat.

Read More: 9 Months After “Can’t Live Without” Comment, Damian Lillard Set to End His 13-Year Relationship With Wife Kay’la Hanson

Dame’s three-point shooting prowess would open multiple driving lanes for Giannis. And if the opposing defenses opt to clog the paint, Dame would make them pay. The league hasn’t seen two superstars that complement each other’s game so perfectly. The Bucks need to make the most of this opportunity because all their core players are on the wrong side of thirty. Can the Bucks Win the title? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch this Story: Jimmy Butler Accuses Damian Lillard of Tampering After Giannis Antetokounmpo Betrayal: “You Didn’t Hear It From Me”