Blazers Triumph in Lillard Trade as Former Players Underperform
When Portland traded Damian Lillard in 2023, the deal looked complex. The franchise sent Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and received multiple assets in return.
Terms of the 2023 exchange
Portland acquired Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, Deandre Ayton, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and several pick swaps. Nassir Little, Jusuf Nurkic, and Keon Johnson were moved from Portland to Phoenix as part of separate arrangements.
Where the incoming pieces stand today
Toumani Camara has developed into an All-Defense wing. He is under contract through 2030. The unprotected Bucks first-rounder remains with Portland and looks increasingly valuable.
Deandre Ayton stayed on the roster but drew little comment in recent coverage. Jrue Holiday was traded away and then reacquired by the Blazers later.
What happened to the players Portland gave up
Jusuf Nurkic started many games for the Utah Jazz this season. That was on a Jazz team focused on rebuilding. Nassir Little and Keon Johnson are no longer in the league.
These outcomes contributed to the perception that former players underperform after leaving Portland.
How Portland turned assets into returns
The team flipped assets from the Lillard deal into additional future value. Portland traded Holiday to Boston for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two first-round picks. One of those picks is unprotected in 2029.
That second pick was later paired with Brogdon in the Deni Avdija trade. Portland then reacquired Holiday from Boston in exchange for Anfernee Simons, who had an expiring contract.
- Net result: Portland effectively gained Deni Avdija, Robert Williams III, and an unprotected 2029 first-rounder.
- Front office moves were credited to GM Joe Cronin.
Franchise outlook and context
Damian Lillard later returned to Portland on a three-year deal after being waived by Milwaukee. Ownership, led by Tom Dundon, declared the rebuild over.
The Blazers finished above .500 this season. They also appear positioned to improve next year.
Observers describe this sequence as a Blazers triumph. The Lillard trade reshaped the roster while several former players underperform elsewhere.
Analysis by Filmogaz.com.
