The Milwaukee Bucks are rumored to be in trade talks with the Utah Jazz that pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with Colin Sexton. However, their [arguably] biggest rival in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics, may be throwing their hat in the ring for Damian Lillard.
Lillard, of course, wants to be traded away from the Portland Trailblazers to the Miami Heat. However, latest insider information suggests that the Blazers are not happy with what the Heat have to offer. This has led many to believe that another team could swoop in and land the seven-time All-Star.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics Is Trying to Recruit Damian Lillard
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report stated on his #thisleague UNCUT Podcast that the Celtics are one of the teams that have started to inquire about Portland’s asking price for Lillard.
Marc Spears of Andscape stated on ESPN‘s show NBA Today that, “I’m hearing Jayson Tatum is knocking on that door now too to figure out a way to get (Lillard) to come to Boston.”
In order to acquire Lillard, though, Boston would need to shed $41.5 million of salary cap space. That would mean they would need to include Jaylen Brown in the trade, something that they may not be interested in doing.
How Would a Damian Lillard Trade to Boston Affect the Milwaukee Bucks?
As stated earlier, the Celtics are arguably the Bucks’ biggest rivals in the Eastern Conference. If they were able to swing a trade for Lillard, it would most certainly be a boost for their backcourt.
Interestingly, there may be one wildcard in the Bucks’ pocket should Boston get Lillard: Jrue Holiday. Since Holiday came to Milwaukee, he has played in three games against Lillard. The seven-time All-Star has scored over 30 points in just one of those contests.
Over the last four seasons, Lillard has averaged 29.4 points per game. When facing a team that has Jrue Holiday (and if Holiday was playing in that game), he is averaging 23.4 (per StatMuse).
Now, Lillard is one of the better scorers in the NBA and is hard to slow down. However, Holiday has done a fairly good job of it over the past four years.
And that is good news regardless of what Eastern Conference team Lillard ends up with.
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