The Milwaukee Bucks made a big swing this offseason, acquiring Damian Lillard in a blockbuster trade just weeks after Giannis Antetokounmpo threatened to leave the franchise unless they showed commitment to winning. Now that the trade is in the rearview mirror and expectations for a big season dominate conversations, Bucks GM Jon Horst came on ESPN to give deeper insight into the trade.
“I think we’ve done everything we can over the past couple of years to put the best product on the floor, with Giannis, for Giannis, for the organization. There’s no doubt we’ve invested in him and the entire team. Getting Damian Lillard was the best thing for the franchise now and going forward. We’re really excited to have him.”
Lillard was heavily linked with the Miami Heat all summer, the same team that beat the No. 1-seeded Bucks in the playoffs last season. But Miami and Portland couldn’t agree on a deal, which allowed Milwaukee to swoop in and take Lillard. Dame averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists last season, while Giannis averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season.
We haven’t ever seen two 30-point scorers teaming up like this, which will lead to a fascinating on-court fit between the stars. Both want to win titles and will likely accommodate in whatever manner necessary to make their dreams a reality.
Adrian Griffin Sr. Reveals The Duo Will Make Their Preseason Debut
New Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin Sr. appeared on ESPN alongside Horst and revealed to Mallika Andrews that they’re expecting Lillard and Antetokounmpo to make their preseason debut as teammates on Sunday when the Bucks face the Lakers.
“Our practices are extremely competitive. We’ve had the chance to match them up and they haven’t been disappointing. Just like anything else, the more opportunities we can get them playing together, the better. Count on Sunday as the next time we want to see them in live, competitive play. It’s a really exciting time for us.”
The debut of this duo will be must-watch basketball. Though preseason means they’ll likely play about 10 to 12 minutes together before the benches come out. Getting a taste of this partnership will be enough for now, as the regular season is less than two weeks ago and the Bucks are expected to be one of the best teams in the NBA.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Extend With The Milwaukee Bucks?
The Lillard trade stems from the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo publicly put pressure on the Bucks to get better by talking about his uncertain future contract status. Even though the Bucks star won’t sign an extension this season with two more years left on his deal, Jon Horst thinks they’ve done enough in the Giannis era to keep getting better.
“I think it’s important to understand that whatever Giannis says publicly and privately is very much aligned with what we believe as an organization. It’s not just recent, we’ve done everything we can every step along the way to put the best team on the floor each and every day, constantly push the limits, and try to compete at the highest level. We’ve had championship success in the past and we’re looking forward to figuring out how to get better. I think this trade is the most recent example of it.”
The Bucks have been a playoff team since 2017 and will look to extend that success for many years to come. With Giannis and Dame on the roster, the future looks very bright for the Bucks.
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