The Damian Lillard–Portland Trail Blazers association no doubt carries a lot of emotion. A homegrown talent, he was selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. As the years passed, Dame Time became a household name in Portland, thanks to his impeccable shooting range and clutch plays, making him a box-office attraction as well.
However, despite all the individual greatness and late-game heroics, the Trail Blazers hit a ceiling in the Western Conference Finals. Despite claims that he would never leave Portland to chase a championship, Lillard eventually had to set aside his emotions and prioritize his own goals. It wasn't an easy decision, but he finally requested a trade in 2023.
After several rounds of negotiations and deliberations with multiple teams, the Blazers reached an agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks. This paved the way for a Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo tandem, generating excitement among the media and fans. Sadly, things didn't turn out as hoped, given the unforeseen circumstances.
Dame held no grudges
Lillard's two seasons with the Bucks had a first-round ceiling, with injuries playing a major role. For Dame, tragedy struck twice, starting with him bein...