The Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks are in different places during the 2024-25 season. The Rockets are winners of eight of the last 10 games and hold an impressive 9-4 record while the 4-8 Bucks have struggled on both ends of the court with a 19th-ranked offense (111.0) and 16th-ranked defense (113.7).
However, that doesn’t mean things could stay as they are. The Rockets have loaded up on tradable assets and first-round picks and are in the market for a star, one that could push the team to a strong playoff spot. Damian Lillard isn’t the same player who was competing for the MVP award a few years ago but he can still be a game-changer offensively.
With the way things are looking for him in Milwaukee, Lillard could be better off somewhere else with the Bucks bringing back some return to possibly keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy so he doesn’t start mulling his future. We propose what a trade that sends Damian Lillard to the Rockets would look like, and grade each team involved.
Proposed Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Jock Landale, 2027 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2029 First-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Acquire Their First Superstar Point Guard Since Chris Paul
Acquiring Damian Lillard would be a franchise-altering move for the Houston Rockets, who have been searching for a superstar point guard since Chris Paul’s departure. Lillard, while no longer in his MVP prime, remains one of the league’s most potent offensive forces, averaging 26.0 points and 6.6 assists per game this season.
Most importantly, a core of Lillard, Jalen Green (averaging 19.8 PPG), Alperen Sengun (17.3 PPG, 11.4 RPG), and last year’s No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson (11.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG) would feature an ideal blend of experience, scoring, and defensive energy. Lillard’s addition would take considerable pressure off Houston’s young players, allowing Green to play off the ball more effectively and Sengun to focus on his role as a secondary playmaker and inside presence.
Moreover, Lillard’s veteran experience and leadership would add much-needed direction and poise to a Rockets team looking to make their first playoff appearance in years. Although Lillard’s defense has been a liability, Ime Udoka’s system and the defensive prowess of players like Thompson and Tari Eason could provide some balance, allowing Houston to use Lillard primarily for his offense.
If Houston is serious about accelerating its rebuild and capitalizing on the talent already in place, adding a veteran star of Lillard’s caliber could be the missing piece that makes them competitive right away.
Milwaukee Bucks Give Giannis Antetokounmpo Some Reinforcements
For the Bucks, this trade would signal a significant retooling around Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Milwaukee struggling at 4-8, it’s clear that the Lillard experiment has not gone as planned. While Lillard was intended to relieve some of Giannis’s offensive load, his defensive limitations and apparent dissatisfaction have affected the team’s performance on both ends.
Moving on from Lillard and securing a young, versatile forward like Jabari Smith Jr. could help Milwaukee stabilize and set a long-term vision that aligns with Giannis’s peak years. Smith’s defensive versatility and three-point shooting potential make him a high-upside fit alongside Giannis, whose interior dominance would allow Smith to thrive as a stretch-four option. This season, Smith Jr. is posting 11.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.5 steals in 28.7 minutes per game so perhaps he could use more playing time.
Dillon Brooks’ presence in Milwaukee could be a game-changer, providing a defensive toughness and intensity the Bucks have missed this season. Known for his on-ball pressure and ability to disrupt opposing guards (12.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.6 SPG this season), Brooks would address one of Milwaukee’s core issues: perimeter defense (a problem since trading Jrue Holiday).
While his offensive output is inconsistent, his defensive impact is undeniable, and his fit alongside Giannis and Khris Middleton could make Milwaukee’s defense formidable again. Additionally, Jock Landale (4.3 RPG, 2.9 RPG in 10.8 MPG) adds depth to Milwaukee’s frontcourt rotation, helping balance a roster that has struggled to find consistent role players this season.
The draft picks in 2027 and 2029 add future value, allowing Milwaukee flexibility and potentially valuable assets for future moves. For Milwaukee, this trade is less about immediate impact and more about sustainable support for Giannis as they navigate a disappointing season.
What Grade Does This Trade Get?
Houston Rockets: B+
This trade is a big swing for Houston and brings significant rewards alongside some notable risks. While Lillard’s playmaking and leadership would be transformational for a young Rockets team, his age and contract represent a short-term solution that might not align with Houston’s young core. Furthermore, sacrificing Jabari Smith Jr. and two valuable picks diminishes Houston’s future flexibility, especially if Lillard’s production declines. Lillard would make the Rockets a playoff contender, but perhaps the franchise would be better served pushing all their chips for a different star.
Portland Trail Blazers: C
For Milwaukee, trading Lillard for a mix of role players, a young prospect, and future picks doesn’t fully justify the cost of acquiring him initially. Jabari Smith Jr. has upside, but he is unproven, and Dillon Brooks, while defensively valuable, doesn’t match Lillard’s offensive firepower. This deal would provide Giannis with more help defensively but falls short in terms of surrounding him with an elite offensive co-star, which could limit Milwaukee’s competitiveness in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks could get a better deal elsewhere if they clarified that Lillard is available for a trade.
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