There was plenty of offseason drama surrounding two of the game’s biggest stars and whether they would be traded.

Damian Lillard got his wish by getting dealt from Portland to Milwaukee, but James Harden is stuck in Philadelphia and has no plans of suiting up to play any time soon.

Lillard makes his Bucks debut alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks try to erase the stunning first-round playoff exit against the Heat last season.

(7:30 p.m. Eastern TNT)

Philadelphia was bounced by Boston in the second round, but the Sixers owned the best against-the-spread record in the regular season at 48-34.

There is no official word on Harden playing, but the 76ers will have to depend on big man Joel Embiid, who scored 28 points or more in three of four matchups with Milwaukee last season.

The big question on the Bucks’ side is how fast will Lillard mesh with his new team that has topped the 51-win mark in four of the last five seasons (not counting the COVID-19 season).

Although Harden can have a change of heart and suit up, expect a recharged Lillard to boost this Bucks team to an opening night win and cover on Thursday.

Best Bet: Bucks -5.5 (-109, BetRivers)