Stephen A. Smith joined the NBA world in processing a monumental Damian Lillard trade.
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly acquiring the All-Star point guard in a three-team deal. When discussing the bombshell move on his show, Smith called Milwaukee a “perfect situation” for Lillard.
“To be the point guard with that ball in your hands. To have Giannis Antetokounmpo as your teammate. To have Brook Lopez and Bobby Porter and those boys and Khris Middleton, you can’t ask for much better than that,” Smith said.
Breaking down the Dame trade pic.twitter.com/GEd9V7HKqL
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 27, 2023
Following the move, Smith sees Milwaukee and the Boston Celtics in a tight race atop the Eastern Conference.
He added that Jimmy Butler would be justified in feeling “a bit salty” that the Miami Heat didn’t land Lillard. Smith also said the Philadelphia 76ers are in “a world of trouble” and speculated that Joel Embiid could demand a trade next.
Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Today after news of the trade broke, Smith called the combination of Lillard and Antetokounmpo “lethal.” He said the Bucks will benefit greatly from adding a proven closer who can score in crunch-time situations.
“The one thing Damian Lillard has proven throughout his career is, give him the ball when the clock is winding down and ask him to close the deal,” Smith said. “That’s his specialty, so Giannis no longer needs to be worried about that.”
The Portland Trail Blazers will receive Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, an unprotected 2029 first-round draft pick, and two pick swaps. Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson are going to the Phoenix Suns.
Lillard declared that he’s “excited for my next chapter” with the Bucks, who look to return to the championship scene after suffering a first-round elimination as the conference’s No. 1 seed last postseason. He played his entire 11-year career in Portland before the trade.