Following the recent trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the Greek Freak, has opened up about his feelings regarding the deal. For Antetokounmpo, the trade is bittersweet as it means his “brother” Jrue Holiday will be leaving the team to join the Trail Blazers. In a heartfelt interview with Bleacher Report, Antetokounmpo expressed both excitement and sadness over the trade.
Key Takeaway
Giannis Antetokounmpo has mixed emotions about Damian Lillard’s trade to the Milwaukee Bucks. He feels excited to play with Lillard but is also saddened by the departure of his “brother” Jrue Holiday, with whom he won an NBA championship.
“Jrue is my f***ing brother for life,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “I love his family. I love him. I appreciate him. I wish him nothing but the best.”
The trade, which was a blockbuster deal involving the Bucks, Blazers, and Suns, saw the Bucks giving up their 2029 unprotected first-round pick and several players, including Holiday, in exchange for Lillard. Understandably, Antetokounmpo is feeling a sense of loss as he and Holiday have been teammates since 2020 and even won the NBA Finals together just a year later.
“He blessed me with a f*ing championship,” Antetokounmpo remarked, highlighting the significant impact Holiday had on their team’s success. “He’s the one who made that huge steal in Game 5 of the Finals. I went to battle with him multiple times. F* basketball. F* the media s*.”
While Antetokounmpo is wrestling with mixed emotions, he is also looking forward to teaming up with Lillard. As a seven-time All-Star, Lillard brings tremendous talent to the Bucks and enhances their chances of clinching another NBA title.
“I’m excited to play with the caliber of player that he is,” Antetokounmpo expressed. “He can score the ball in his sleep and shoot the lights out.”
Lillard, who had requested a trade out of Portland in July, is equally excited to join forces with Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. However, he admits that he will miss his teammates, fans, and the city of Portland dearly.
“I do believe a day will come where I put a Blazers uniform on again,” Lillard wrote in a heartfelt farewell letter. “Hopefully by then, I’ll be forgiven for breaking your hearts along with my own.”
The upcoming games between the Bucks and the Trail Blazers, scheduled for November and early 2024, will undoubtedly be highly anticipated and closely watched by basketball enthusiasts.
