It’s been rumored for days, but now it appears that Damian Lillard is being traded and the Phoenix Suns are involved.
Milwaukee lands Lillard to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Portland gets Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Blazers.
Phoenix acquires Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.
Devin Booker is now the last remaining player from the 2021 NBA Finals roster.
The question now is did the Suns get better in this deal? Jusuf Nurkic is a downgrade from Ayton at the starting center position. The 29-year-old big man has played in eight, 37, 56, and 53 games in the last four seasons. He’s owed $55 million over the next three seasons.
Grayson Allen is a (controverssial) nice bench player who plays solid defense. Nassir Little shot 36% from three in Portlnad last season. Keon Johnson is regarded with decent bench potential.
The Suns did not recieve a player with better potential or current ability than Ayton. And now they’ll need to make some roster decision after acquiring two more players than they had before.
Mat Ishbia and James Jones aren’t scared to shake things up.
