Every Team's NBA Championship Odds Following Damian Lillard Trade to Bucks
By Peter Dewey
The biggest domino of the NBA offseason has finally fallen.
The Portland Trail Blazers reportedly agreed to a three-team deal that will send seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The deal also involves the Phoenix Suns, as Deandre Ayton will head to Portland for a package of role players from the Bucks and Blazers. Jrue Holiday and draft capital are being sent to Portland in the deal.
Lillard goes Milwaukee as part of a 3-team deal with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Blazers. Phoenix lands Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. https://t.co/Ge0H91AiIA
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023
Wow.
After months of rumors that Lillard would only play for the Miami Heat, the Bucks swooped in and made their team even better around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Lillard is under contract through the 2025-26 season -- which is key since Holiday could have opted out of his deal following the 2023-24 campaign.
.@MiamiHEAT odds to win NBA Championship at @BetMGM
— John Ewing (@johnewing) September 27, 2023
+1000: Before Dame trade
+3000: After pic.twitter.com/PjEsaujbxH
This should help the Bucks keep Giannis in Milwaukee, and it certainly alters the landscape of the Eastern Conference. Miami, who may now pursue Holiday according to multiple reports, is going to take a hit in the NBA Finals market after not snagging Lillard.
The Blazers remain engaged elsewhere on deals and will are expected to immediately engage contending teams on trade talks to move on Jrue Holiday, sources tell ESPN. Portland is committed to its young group of talented guards. https://t.co/6IR7bcFVrr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023
The Bucks are now the favorite in the Eastern Conference and have passed the Denver Nuggets as the overall favorite to win the NBA Finals in the 2023-24 season. Milwaukee was +500 before the Lillard trade, and it is now as low as +360 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Lillard gives the team another elite scorer to rely on, something that the team has needed with Antetokounmpo and Middleton missing time in each of the last two playoff runs.
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Every NBA Team's Odds to Win the Finals
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's betting record here.