Well, that turned out a little different than many thought it would!
Wednesday afternoon, the NBA finally got the blockbuster it’s been waiting for, as Damian Lillard was traded away from the Blazers. But not to Miami, as Lillard had been pushing for since asking out of Portland. Instead, Lillard ends up in Milwaukee, teamed up with Giannis in a three-team deal that also included the Phoenix Suns, who sent D’Andre Ayton to Portland in exchange for some depth pieces that help fill out the roster both from a personnel and a salary standpoint.
So what does this mean for the Western Conference, and by extension, the Lakers?
Well, Portland wasn’t going to contend, so that part doesn’t matter. But what Phoenix did certainly does. And while the Suns did add needed depth and they did remove Ayton from the building—even with the new contract, that situation still wasn’t healthy—did they get better around their Big Three of Durant, Beal and Booker? If you’re the Lakers, would you rather play a Suns team in the postseason with Ayton and less depth, or Nurkic and a little more?
But as big a move as Phoenix made, the biggest shoe in the West is could still drop. Because Jrue Holiday was sent from Milwaukee to Portland, and is not destined to stay there. So while James Harden is still on the market, Holiday becomes an incredibly appealing player and arguably the most appealing one on the market. Say for a team that still wants another guard. Like the one sharing Crypto.com Arena for another year. If you’re the Clippers, wouldn’t you rather add someone like Holiday, who would be a great, near seamless fit next to Kawhi and Paul George, instead of the (waves arms about) thing that is the James Harden Experience?
Surely Team Harden doesn’t like this little wrinkle in the market.
But obviously what impacts the Clippers impacts the Lakers, so this is something to watch, whether now or a few weeks down the road.
Finally, what exactly did Portland owe Lillard through this situation? Did they “do right” by him? It’s a huge topic of conversation around the league and across NBA social media. What exactly are they obligated to do for a star who wants out, and wants to go to one team and one team only (until he doesn’t, at least…)?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Lillard to… Milwaukee?
SEGMENT 2: How it impacts the Lakers, starting with Phoenix. Did the Suns get better? Did they become a tougher or easier matchup?
SEGMENT 3: Could this deal help the Clippers, eventually? What would that mean for the Lakers? Plus, did the Blazers treat Dame as they should have? He’s not in Miami, in the end.
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25 Comments
Is that comment number 1😂
Lakers fan, from zambia. Love your content, keep up the good work.
I love the memes. Please do as many as possible.
Doesn't really impact us. It's just another contender.
They improved offensively but Jrue was a better all around player. Can we trade Dlo for Jrue Holiday?😂
Is funny to me that the only report out there that Jrue holiday getting traded was to the Lakers which y'all didn't even acknowledge it but choose to talk about the clippers lol WOW! Tell me how you really feel 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
If we even thought about trading for Jrue … we would need to trade DLo Rui and Prince to make up his 37 million dollar salary … No thanks … Plus I believe he would opt in possibly for 39.5 million next year . I do love his D but his Offense to me isn’t worth the price. Plus 33 almost 34 this year by playoff time … next year 34 almost 35 next year… I just really love who we have … The only thing the Blazers needed to do to do right by him was to get him to a contender… And boy did they… Anyway we couldn’t make a move until the trade deadline anyway but you really think he is worth 39 million? I do believe that he could make a difference… But in the Lakers case would me make more of a difference than DLo Rui and Prince together? A lot of depth that we worked really hard to get sacrificed. Anyway great topic today .
I dont think the suns are deeper. More people doesn't mean deeper.
Impressive haul by Portland and the Bucks has gotten stronger. The odd man out was Miami, 😂😂😂. But I'm more concerned about what Ham is going to do with the Lakers' lineups and strategies for our Lakers this season.
They prevent boston from winning anything 😂
Honestly if the lakers new signings do they thing we good,if not it’s another failure
Business is business but Small NBA markets will be cooked from generation talents staying long long term. Shout out to Dame tho.. he didn’t get a rebuild team or grade C team.
Giannis isn't coming to the Lakers, that sucks.
Peace – It looks like the Suns might have got worse to me – Deeper yes. Injury prone yes, Better….i dont see it. Ayton seems like the type of player Vogal can maximize potential. Jrue to the Heat I hope.
It’s funny to me that, in scrolling through some comments about the trade on X, that Heat fans are “mad,mad” about not getting Dame.😂
Where did that funky ass intro come from? I love it! Lol😂
Fantastic deal with the bucks! Congratulations to them.
Where does holiday go ? That's a blockbuster in its own right!
This isn't a huge deal for LA unless both teams make the finals which …. at that point damn!!
However damn to miami vs Milly. Dangerous either way. As a Lakers fan or any championship level team. We were cheering for dame to the raptors.
Regardless this is a great day for the NBA. The bucks get better. The NBA gets better. Love it overall, I'll hate it in the finals if the Lakers play them.
On the flip side. Holiday in the finals vs the Lakers, d lo gets killed in that matchup.
Addition by subtraction. Suns chemistry will be better. Players will be more content with their roles.
I don't know if i'm the only one but I don't think the bucks had to give up that much to make this deal
i saw that wilt's "72 jersey went for $4.9 million dollars.
Why would anybody bring up the clippers in any conversation? Who cares….. period!!
Lebron on his phone calling Rich Paul for more help
Lakers should Trade DLo for Drue, pronto!
East is weak boston Philly
Lakers and bucks in the finals. Leggo!