On Sept. 27, 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers acquiesced to longtime star Damian Lillard's trade request and sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team trade.
But over two seasons in Milwaukee, Lillard could not win the NBA championship he so coveted. His partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo yielded a combined three playoff wins. And after Lillard ruptured his Achilles during a first-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers in April, the Bucks waived him; he re-signed with the Blazers as a free agent.
Antetokounmpo now is weighing his future in Milwaukee amid the Bucks' 10-13 start to the season. His desire to win a second NBA championship could lead to a trade elsewhere in 2026 -- and ironically, the Blazers could be in position to reunite Lillard and Giannis.
A trade idea posited by Bleacher Report says the Bucks could deal Giannis and his brother Thanasis to the Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, Scoot Henderson, a 2028 first-round pick (via Milwaukee), a 2030 first-round pick (via Milwaukee) and a 2032 first-round pick.
It would see Giannis play alongside Deni Avdija, regarded as one of the NBA's top rising stars, in a frontcourt that no playoff team in the Western Conference would want to face. Then, a healthy Lillard would reunite with Giannis in time for the 2026-27 season, exactly 40 years after Portland's first and only NBA title to date.
Since the Bucks will want to recoup significant draft assets in a Giannis -- and seeing as the Blazers own two of Milwaukee's upcoming first-rounders -- this proposal could help Giannis' old team at the expense of his new one, which may be an important factor as the sides seek an amicable resolution.
Giannis joining Portland would instantly make the Trail Blazers a contender, though it remains to be seen if the Greek Freak believes he could put a young, on-the-rise squad like this over the top.
More NBA news:
Giannis Antetokounmpo's former teammate 'not shocked' Bucks star might want trade
Lakers are one of the few teams that can prevent Chris Paul from retiring
LeBron James holds a wild Toronto Raptors-related NBA record
Proposed 'Hail Mary' Warriors trade ends Jonathan Kuminga nightmare, lands Bucks star
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for LeBron James in Los Angeles?