Based on what conspired over the last month, a Damian Lillard trade seemed elusive. There were barely any updates on the situation and the Miami Heat was left helpless. All of their offers were rejected by the Portland Trail Blazers as they did not meet any standards. At some point, the Heat realized they had nowhere to go. This was when other teams were allowed to pitch in.
At first, several sources reported that a trade was going to take place with Lillard ending up in Miami. However, the Heat’s lack of desirable assets forced the Blazers to shut them off. Ultimately, the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks offered a helping hand. The Bucks had a strong interest in Lillard and the Suns wanted Jusuf Nurkic. In addition to this, both teams had All-Star caliber players.
Milwaukee Bucks acquire seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection and NBA 75th Anniversary Team member Damian Lillard.
📰: https://t.co/UW5WDDCq0H pic.twitter.com/0DXHxd0E3q
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 28, 2023
Deandre Ayton and Jrue Holiday were the main assets dealt to the Blazers. Ultimately, all three teams got what they wanted. Damian Lillard’s arrival in Milwaukee will cause problems in the Eastern Conference. But his presence may also buy the Bucks sometime with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 2x MVP stated that he has no intention of playing for a team that isn’t motivated to win titles. On the bright side, Dame’s desire to win a title is at an all-time high.
Fans react to massive increase in ticket prices for Damian Lillard’s return to Portland game
Following the trade, Damian Lillard bid adieu to the Blazers one last time by releasing a track called Farewell. He blatantly made reference to his departure from Portland in a few lines as well. All this while, fans were excited to see Lillard in Heat uniform. Dame stans were also interested to see how things would turn out during his return to Portland game. The lowest-priced ticket for the game was $24.
However, after the Lillard-Heat trade was sacked and the 7x All-Star made his way to Milwaukee, the low-priced ticket shot up to a whopping $209 (770.8% increase). This is nearly nine times the cost of the Blazers vs. Heat game that was scheduled to take place on February 28, 2024. One fan reacted by saying, “Well, I guess this trade just paid for itself.” Another fan said, “Someone boutta pay a band just to show up and boo lmao.”
Well, I guess this trade just paid for itself 😂
— Levin Burant Dividends (@LevinBurant) September 27, 2023
Someone boutta pay a band just to show up and boo lmao
— Javon 🌌 (@jtbucketsss) September 27, 2023
Based on the last reaction, there are going to be fans in the stadium directing hate chants toward Damian Lillard. He spent 11 seasons with the franchise but it was the Blazers that failed to retain him. The Bucks will play against the Blazers on February 1, 2024, at the Moda Center. Their first interaction will take place on November 27, 2023 in Milwaukee.
