Woj: Damian Lillard Traded to the Bucks (Official)

[angryguy77]

This was a great move for a franchise about to lose a top 5 player otherwise. Bucks now have a legit closer which is something they struggled with before. Their defense will only get worse on the perimeter though.

Overall I think it’s something they had to do to try and get at least one more ring in Milwaukee. I would put them as favorites in the East on paper, just depends on how good the C’s defense is going to be next year. If Mazzulla thinks he can outscore everyone forget about a title.

Bucks will end up not winning a title, and GA will end up leaving because they don't have any assets or picks to make another huge deal like this.
Give it 2 years.

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/raf_tyler/status/1707423506927947856?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Heat have some damage control to do with Herro after yet another summer of trying and failing to trade him.

[Who]

One thing to note is that Middleton is kind of washed. He's no longer all-star Middleton and is often hurt. But this makes them deadlier offensively. But hurts their defense

I wonder if Middleton would be a full time PF nowadays if he was on another team without Giannis around. That injuries have sapped his quickness so much that he is now better at PF than at SF.

I also wonder if Middleton is now more comparable to someone like Tobias Harris as a player versus where he was two years ago as a legit All-Star who would be competing with the likes of Jaylen Brown. Possibly even better than Jaylen. Tobias Harris being a flawed 3rd option type with high skill level but needs to catered to in order to be consistently productive on offense, below average athleticism and below average defense. I see Middleton similarly.

I also wonder if Middleton can have a comeback year next season a year after serious injuries and improve some. That is what Bucks folks gotta be hoping for.

They should probably start trying to trade him for a quicker wing who can play some defense. A two way wing. Or trade for depth. Both could offer superior options for Milwaukee now given the lesser need for Middleton's offense with Lillard now on board.

[Who]

So is Durant Phoenix’s best defender?

Teams will be licking their lips at the thought of Nurkic & Beal/Booker in the PnR

Booker was their best defender in the postseason last year. He has surpassed Durant on D.

Then whoever starts at SF out of Okogie / Bates-Diop.

Durant in 3rd.

What?? Booker is absolutely not better than Durant, nor Okogie

Criticism of Booker's D is outdated. It was well deserved in the past but not anymore. He has improved hugely on that end of the floor. He was far and away the best defender of their star players (CP3, Durant, Booker, Ayton) in last year's playoffs. You could quibble between him and Okogie.

Likewise, ratings of Durant has a strong defensive player are outdated as well. He is no longer that. He is much closer to average nowadays. He doesn't move well enough anymore or give enough effort on that end of the floor anymore.

[bdm860]

https://x.com/raf_tyler/status/1707423506927947856?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Heat have some damage control to do with Herro after yet another summer of trying and failing to trade him.

Stolen from reddit.

[Phantom255x]

https://x.com/raf_tyler/status/1707423506927947856?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Heat have some damage control to do with Herro after yet another summer of trying and failing to trade him.

Heat fans will go back to piling on Herro despite spending entire offseasons talking about his "superstar status" 

[Neurotic Guy]

https://x.com/raf_tyler/status/1707423506927947856?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Heat have some damage control to do with Herro after yet another summer of trying and failing to trade him.

Stolen from reddit.

Herro for Brogden.

[Kernewek]

Herro’s a weird dude to gauge the value on: he’s obviously going to sell some jerseys, but he doesn’t seem to make much of an impact on the floor - that’s just by the eye test based on what I’ve seen of Miami, I haven’t looked at the bigger picture statistically.

As a thought experiment: would you really trade Brogdon for Herro? I’m not sure I would.

[Phantom255x]

Herro’s a weird dude to gauge the value on: he’s obviously going to sell some jerseys, but he doesn’t seem to make much of an impact on the floor - that’s just by the eye test based on what I’ve seen of Miami, I haven’t looked at the bigger picture statistically.

As a thought experiment: would you really trade Brogdon for Herro? I’m not sure I would.

He's one of those guys who made a name for himself in the Bubble really, but overall he really doesn't have a big impact as you said. Like sure, he can score, but that's about it, and he's probably a lot better suited as a 6th man. Brogdon is similar in a sense, but Brogdon can play defense though he won't always score like Herro can. I guess it's close. Brogdon is the better, more complete player but not by a huge margin.

But yeah, like they didn't have him during the 2022 ECF and lost in 7 to Boston, but then even last season they didn't have him for the postseason run and the Heat still made the Finals. So he's not some "high impact" guy or a guy who pushes the needle really.

[SparzWizard]

Herro’s a weird dude to gauge the value on: he’s obviously going to sell some jerseys, but he doesn’t seem to make much of an impact on the floor - that’s just by the eye test based on what I’ve seen of Miami, I haven’t looked at the bigger picture statistically.

As a thought experiment: would you really trade Brogdon for Herro? I’m not sure I would.

He's one of those guys who made a name for himself in the Bubble really, but overall he really doesn't have a big impact as you said. Like sure, he can score, but that's about it, and he's probably a lot better suited as a 6th man. Brogdon is similar in a sense, but Brogdon can play defense though he won't always score like Herro can. I guess it's close. Brogdon is the better, more complete player but not by a huge margin.

But yeah, like they didn't have him during the 2022 ECF and lost in 7 to Boston, but then even last season they didn't have him for the postseason run and the Heat still made the Finals. So he's not some "high impact" guy or a guy who pushes the needle really.

Basically another Linsanity.

[Who]

Herro’s a weird dude to gauge the value on: he’s obviously going to sell some jerseys, but he doesn’t seem to make much of an impact on the floor - that’s just by the eye test based on what I’ve seen of Miami, I haven’t looked at the bigger picture statistically.

As a thought experiment: would you really trade Brogdon for Herro? I’m not sure I would.

He's one of those guys who made a name for himself in the Bubble really, but overall he really doesn't have a big impact as you said. Like sure, he can score, but that's about it, and he's probably a lot better suited as a 6th man. Brogdon is similar in a sense, but Brogdon can play defense though he won't always score like Herro can. I guess it's close. Brogdon is the better, more complete player but not by a huge margin.

But yeah, like they didn't have him during the 2022 ECF and lost in 7 to Boston, but then even last season they didn't have him for the postseason run and the Heat still made the Finals. So he's not some "high impact" guy or a guy who pushes the needle really.

Needs to get his defense better. Sorta like JJ Redick. First few years he was unplayable due to his lousy D. Worked on his positioning and footwork and became an adequate defender. Helped push him into being a high level role player. Herro already far more advanced than Redick on offense. But he hasn't been able to improve his D. His D is killing his impact. It is wiping out a large chunk of his positive contributions on offense.

His lack of growth is disappointing.

I thought he could be an ideal 3rd option type but so far he has failed to make the grade. Almost entirely due to his D.

[Neurotic Guy]

I was a little tongue in cheek suggesting Herro for Brogdon - because of speculation that both might be irritated by having been nearly traded.  But it’s not a totally unrealistic or unreasonable thought.  I prefer Brogdon. I’d like to say Brogdon brings a 2-way game but his D wasn’t terribly impressive as the year wore on.  But I do think his head is in the game and he’s an average defender. The one plus for Herro in addition to his offensive skill is that he’s not yet 24.  He’s been injured enough to not necessarily think that he’s less likely to sustain injury than MB, but his youth should assure more years on the court. Probably generally a more trade-able asset than Brogdon because of age and Brogdon’s injury history   

I’d keep Brogdon for sure, but if he really is very disgruntled (which I highly doubt) I don’t think Herro is a bad consideration if Miami was interested.

[theswitch]

Herro’s a weird dude to gauge the value on: he’s obviously going to sell some jerseys, but he doesn’t seem to make much of an impact on the floor - that’s just by the eye test based on what I’ve seen of Miami, I haven’t looked at the bigger picture statistically.

As a thought experiment: would you really trade Brogdon for Herro? I’m not sure I would.

He's one of those guys who made a name for himself in the Bubble really, but overall he really doesn't have a big impact as you said. Like sure, he can score, but that's about it, and he's probably a lot better suited as a 6th man. Brogdon is similar in a sense, but Brogdon can play defense though he won't always score like Herro can. I guess it's close. Brogdon is the better, more complete player but not by a huge margin.

But yeah, like they didn't have him during the 2022 ECF and lost in 7 to Boston, but then even last season they didn't have him for the postseason run and the Heat still made the Finals. So he's not some "high impact" guy or a guy who pushes the needle really.

Needs to get his defense better. Sorta like JJ Redick. First few years he was unplayable due to his lousy D. Worked on his positioning and footwork and became an adequate defender. Helped push him into being a high level role player. Herro already far more advanced than Redick on offense. But he hasn't been able to improve his D. His D is killing his impact. It is wiping out a large chunk of his positive contributions on offense.

His lack of growth is disappointing.

I thought he could be an ideal 3rd option type but so far he has failed to make the grade. Almost entirely due to his D.

I'd be curious from someone who leans into advanced analytics why his advanced offensive metrics are garbage too. You'd think with reasonable shooting efficiency and 20+ PPG, some assists, low turnovers...it'd be good but it is...not good.

[gouki88]

So is Durant Phoenix’s best defender?

Teams will be licking their lips at the thought of Nurkic & Beal/Booker in the PnR

Booker was their best defender in the postseason last year. He has surpassed Durant on D.

Then whoever starts at SF out of Okogie / Bates-Diop.

Durant in 3rd.

What?? Booker is absolutely not better than Durant, nor Okogie

Criticism of Booker's D is outdated. It was well deserved in the past but not anymore. He has improved hugely on that end of the floor. He was far and away the best defender of their star players (CP3, Durant, Booker, Ayton) in last year's playoffs. You could quibble between him and Okogie.

Likewise, ratings of Durant has a strong defensive player are outdated as well. He is no longer that. He is much closer to average nowadays. He doesn't move well enough anymore or give enough effort on that end of the floor anymore.

Asserting something does not make it so. What is your evidence?

[Who]

During a September 5th meeting when the Portland Trail Blazers made it clear a trade with the Miami Heat was unlikely, Damian Lillard asked to rescind his trade request to remain with the franchise.

Joe Cronin responded by saying to Lillard that there was no coming back.

Sources tell Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report that "Lillard was shocked."

Lillard began showing up to work out at the Blazers' practice facility on Sept. 11th and went in for eight days. Lillard said Cronin did not address him once.

"I went into the facility because I was still on the roster and usually that time of the year is when team activities start to pick up as a group. I wasn't confident I would be moved so I showed up to be in the mix," Lillard told Bleacher Report.

Lillard met with Aaron Goodwin on Sept. 17 to discuss a contingency plan with the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets the preferred alternative teams.