Giannis Antetokounmpo opens up about ‘bittersweet’ Damian Lillard trade: ‘Jrue is my f–king brother’
Giannis Antetokounmpo has had mixed emotions after his Bucks acquired Damian Lillard.
As a result of the deal, they parted with Antetokounmpo’s friend and 2021 championship teammate, Jrue Holiday, who is headed to the Trail Blazers.
Antetokounmpo told his feelings to Bleacher Report, where the Greek Freak discussed Holiday’s departure.
“Jrue is my f–king brother for life. I love his family. I love him. I appreciate him. I wish him nothing but the best. He blessed me with a f–king championship,” Antetokounmpo told B/R. “He’s the one who made that huge steal in Game 5 of the Finals. I went to battle with him multiple times. F–k basketball. “F–k the media shit.
“This guy is my brother for life, and it’s always going to be like that. He’s going to thrive wherever he ends up.”
Bleacher Report wrote a lengthy autopsy on the process and aftermath of Lillard’s deal to the Bucks after he wanted to land with the Heat, which many expected during the offseason but did not come to fruition.
The full three-team deal consisted of the Bucks landing Lillard, along with some other moving parts.
The Blazers added a 2029 first-round pick and two draft swaps from the Bucks in 2028 and 2030, along with troubled Phoenix Suns center and 2018 No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton, as well as Toumani Camara, who was selected No. 52 overall in the 2023 Draft.
The Suns made away with Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.
While dealing with the Bucks losing Holiday, in the same breath, Antetokounmpo expressed his immense eagerness to pair with a fellow superstar talent in Lillard.
“Now at the same time, I’m excited to have Dame. He gives us a chance to win a championship. I’m excited to play with the caliber of player that he is.
“He can score the ball in his sleep and shoot the lights out.”
Antetokounmpo, who was selected No. 15 overall in 2013, entered the league one year after Lillard after he was picked No. 6 overall in 2012.
Lillard, who turned 33 in July, had only been with the Blazers during his 11-year career.
The deal follows a trade request submitted by the seven-time NBA All-Star from earlier this summer.
“It’s a bittersweet day for the city of Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo added. “You get Dame, who is a great player, but you lose a great guy. Jrue took us to the promised land. I’m 10 years in now. I know it’s a business.
“At the end of the day, Jrue will always be my brother for life. He’s one of the best human beings I’ve been around. But we’ve got to focus on the goal to win the championship. Dame wants this. He’s hungry to win, and he’s going to push us. I’m very happy to have him on our team.”
The Bucks begin the preseason on Oct. 8 against the Bulls and open their regular season on Oct. 26 at home, hosting the 76ers.