Damian Lillard Ditching Loyalty Set To Cost $49,151,593 for Giannis Antetokounmpo?s Bucks

Damian Lillard, after a long period with the Portland Trail Blazers, was traded in a three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. There was a lot of debate over who would land “Logo Lillard”, with the topmost place going to the Miami Heat. In the end, Lillard was traded to the Bucks, hoping it would be enough to pacify Giannis?Antetokounmpo and possibly put them in the way of a championship this season.

Lillard being on the Milwaukee Bucks opens new avenues for the team. Lillard is a great offensive player. Paired with the Greek Freak, with his ever-increasing skill set, the two are a force to be reckoned with.

The Lillard trade puts the Bucks over the salary cap

The Blazers’ manager, Joe Cronin, said in a statement that Dame requested a trade on July 1. Lillard’s wish was to be traded to the Miami Heat, but the Bucks got him on a three-team deal with the Portland Blazers and Phoenix Suns. The Milwaukee Bucks are currently over the league salary cap. This means that renouncing Cap holds and Exception does not afford them any cap space.

Though it puts the Bucks in a little over what they can afford, $49,151,593 in luxury tax bill, to be exact, the Bucks are looking at the brighter side of things. With Giannis now getting a competent teammate with the same ideals and drive, the Damian-Giannis duo should do some damage in the upcoming NBA season. Even though the Bucks had to give up on the money, this trade definitely put them back in the game.

Read More: Days After Giannis Antetokounmpo Threatens Exit, Damian Lillard Ditches Jimmy Butler and Miami Heat to Join Ex-NBA Champion

What does bringing Lillard to the Bucks mean for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis has said, on many occasions, that he wants to play for the trophy. If the Bucks are not in it for the same reasons as he is, he would rather play somewhere else. Giannis opened his heart on “48 Minutes”, a podcast hosted by former Bucks assistant coach Ross Geiger.

The Bucks have listened to their star player and granted his wish in the form of a trade. Lillard isn’t in any way against playing alongside Giannis. A Twitter follower had asked Damian to name one player he would choose to help lead him to the NBA finals. His answer was Giannis.

Many would call the Damian-Giannis duo the dream team and, in more ways than one, they are. We can’t wait to see these two on the court.

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