Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal

CNN
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The Portland Trail Blazers have been traded seven times all Stars Protect Damian Lillard The team will move to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal that also includes the Phoenix Suns, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

Lillard wrote on social media that he is “excited” for his next chapter.

“Not the models will be treated but Pioneers fans and the city of Portland I truly love will be treated…and they will be treated honestly. Stay tuned. Excited for the next chapter! @Bucks, Lillard to publish On X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lillard, who works as a rapper off the court and goes by the stage name Dame DOLLA, also released a single called “Farewell” after the trade was reported, in which he says goodbye to life in Portland.

“To the fans, man, I love you, it’s unconditional,” he says in the track.

He continues: “I leave in peace because I know, in the end, this is work, and I hope you remember all the things you had to sit and witness.”

In July, Lillard requested a trade from the franchise that drafted him more than a decade ago, his agent Aaron Goodwin told CNN. Godwin said at the time that Lillard was hoping to play for the Miami Heat.

The Trail Blazers will acquire point guard Jrue Holiday and future draft picks from Milwaukee, along with center Deandre Ayton and forward Toumani Kamara from Phoenix.

The Suns receive midfielder Jusuf Nurkic, striker Nasser Little, and goalkeeper Keon Johnson from Portland, in addition to goalkeeper Grayson Allen from Milwaukee.

“On behalf of the entire Portland Trail Blazers organization, I would like to express my gratitude to Damien for his 11 years with this franchise and his loyalty to the Portland community,” Portland general manager Joe Cronin said in a statement. “From becoming the all-time leading point scorer in franchise history to his dedicated commitment to youth throughout the state of Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest, Damian is and will continue to be a true giant and pioneer for this city.

“I would also like to thank Jusuf Nurkic for his dedication to Portland over the past seven seasons,” Cronin said. “Nork was a consummate professional on and off the field and a key leader for this team, and we appreciate his dedication and passion for this franchise, the city and the fans.”

“We wish Dame, Nork, Keon and Nas much success in the future,” Cronin added.

In 11 seasons in the Rose City, Lillard averaged 25.2 points, 6.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Last season, the 33-year-old had his best season ever, averaging 32.2 points in 58 games.

Portland drafted Lillard out of Weber State University with the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard would go on to unanimously win the 2012/13 NBA Rookie of the Year award.