Judging from traditional statistics, Lillard’s average of 32 points per game is a career high and a historical high for all players before changing teams. More importantly, Lillard’s critical moment performance is the Bucks’ biggest need. His difficult three-point shooting percentage is 37%. Lillard and Antetokounmpo will become a nightmare for each team, and the Bucks will also have Two of the NBA’s most extravagant schemes at critical moments, “Dame Time” is both a nickname and a solution to the Bucks’ clutch mistakes in the playoffs…
The most important trade case of 2023 has finally been settled. Damian Lillard did not end up with his designated Miami Heat, nor the long-rumored Toronto Raptors. The seven-time All-Star player was included in the shocking three-way trade. Milwaukee buck.
The Bucks are the championship in the 2020-21 season. They were counterattacked by the eighth-old Heat in the first round of the playoffs last season. In the offseason, main ace Giannis Antetokounmpo made a dissatisfied voice, hoping to see the team have substantial reinforcements, and the Bucks management obviously heard it, and suddenly became the surprise winner of the battle for Lillard.
The reason why this three-party transaction is surprising is that it started very slowly, with several months of stagnation and rumors of not much progress. It was thought that the transaction would not be completed before the start of the season, but it ended suddenly.
The significance of Lillard’s addition is that they add a top cannon in the backcourt to fight with the already top frontcourt defense. It is also a symbol of the management’s declaration to Antetokounmpo that they respond and stand with Antetokounmpo, because their goals are all Fight for the championship. Antetokounmpo is considering whether to sign another three-year contract extension. Lillard’s contract is until 2027, so it will not only maintain his combat effectiveness for at least the next three years, but also weaken the competitiveness of his fellow Eastern Conference opponents.
From the nature of the team, the Bucks almost used up their future and salary space flexibility for this deal, but it can effectively solve the problems of the present and the future.
The key lies in Lillard’s own offensive strength. His offensive launch as the main ball carrier is today’s top: Last season, Lillard’s offensive ranking in advanced data EPM ranked first among all players, RPM ranked first, BPM ranked second, and RAPTOR ranked first. second. These data are advanced statistics that measure overall offensive impact, and in these indicators, Lillard is either first or second only to Nikola Jokic.
Judging from traditional statistics, Lillard’s average of 32 points per game is a career high and a historical high for all players before changing teams. More importantly, Lillard’s critical moment performance is the Bucks’ biggest need. His difficult three-point shooting percentage is 37%. Lillard and Antetokounmpo will become a nightmare for each team, and the Bucks will also have Two of the NBA’s most extravagant schemes at critical moments, “Dame Time” is both a nickname and a solution to the Bucks’ clutch mistakes in the playoffs.
This trade is an upgrade for the Bucks at point guard, although Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA and was selected to the Defensive Team of the Year in each of his three seasons in Milwaukee. However, Holiday’s performance degrades every time he reaches the playoffs. In the past three playoffs, among the 43 players who have taken at least 300 shots, his true shooting percentage ranks second to last, surpassed only by Dillon Brooks.
On the contrary, Lillard is better at offense than defense, and he is considered unsolvable in the NBA on the offensive end. While Lillard’s defense is also below average, it’s not entirely his fault. Over the past four seasons, the Trail Blazers have ranked fourth-worst in defensive rating over the past four seasons, according to Cleaning the Glass. It’s impossible to defend on their own. , it is reasonable for Lillard to focus most of his energy on offense.
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After being upset in the 2023 playoffs, and coupled with Antetokounmpo’s statement, it is not surprising that the Bucks will have such a big change. Lillard’s half-court offense and critical moment management not only allow the Bucks to reduce their reliance on Khris Middleton, but he himself is a critical moment killer. And the Bucks are willing to gamble that Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, the league’s fourth-leading team, can make up for any defensive regression.
This transaction also almost cost the Bucks their future, including two exchange rights owed to the New Orleans Pelicans. They will not have first-round draft picks for the next two years, and their draft picks cannot be traded until 2032. .
Lillard’s contract also makes the Bucks’ salary situation more complicated. The 33-year-old Lillard will only start a two-year, 122 million contract extension in the 2025-26 season. For Milwaukee’s management, the worst-case scenario is that if there is no breakthrough in the playoffs in the 2023-24 season, or Antetokounmpo is satisfied and chooses to leave, they will not have any draft picks and will have to pay $36 in the next few years. Year-old Lillard has a whopping $63 million bill.
But this is a necessary bet for the Bucks to compete for the championship. If they don’t stud now, the chance of losing Antetokounmpo is higher. At least the Bucks have declared their determination to fight for him like their core ace.
For the Trail Blazers, they were able to satisfy both sides. They let Lillard go to a team with a high chance of competing for the championship, and successfully exchanged it for a high-level package including Ayton and draft picks. At the same time, they got rid of Nurkic’s three-year, 54 million contract. , Holiday also successfully traded with the Celtics for center Robert Williams III, guard Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first-round pick from the Warriors (top 4 protected), and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick.
2023-10-06 10:06:11
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