Milwaukee, WI
Concerns Swirling Around Damian Lillard in Milwaukee
The Portland Trail Blazers made the biggest trade of the current millennium last September when they moved perennial All-Star Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks for Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and a host of future draft picks and pick swaps. For 11 seasons, Lillard had been the face of the franchise. He was the team’s leading scorer all-time, considered by many the best player to ever wear the uniform. All things being equal, the Blazers probably would have preferred to keep their superstar guard. Lillard’s age and Portland’s lack of success conspired to force the move.
The Blazers haven’t gotten any better in the interim, winning just 21 games last season. It appears that the questions surrounding Lillard haven’t eased entirely either.
In an article with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel [subscription required], summarized by Adam Wells of Bleacher report, Lillard vows that he’s looking forward to a bright season ahead. The backdrop of the vow is the drop-off in stats during the 2023-24 season, Lillard’s first in Milwaukee. He went from averaging 32.2 points the year prior to just 24.3, as his shooting percentage dropped from 46.3% to 42.4% overall, 37.1% to 35.4% from the three-point arc.
Switching franchises and roles—moving from clear first option to co-star of former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo—offers a partial explanation for the drop. The specter of age continues to hover, however. Lillard just turned 34 and has now logged a full dozen seasons, exceeding 30,000 regular-season minutes, in the NBA.
As Owczarski reports, Lillard is quick to disparage the effects of Father Time:
I live a clean, good, healthy life, so I can do it. I can do the same (expletive) I did two, three years ago. I can do it right now
The jury is still out, however.
What do you think? One year later, would you say the Blazers got out from under Lillard’s aging curve at the right time, or do you think he has several more years left in him at a high level? Share in the comments section below.