Portland Trail Blazers

Many NBA players may not like to be traded, but Deandre Ayton is happy that the Phoenix Suns and general manager James Jones sent him to the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I just feel like them having the power to really send me anywhere they want, they sent me where I can be valued and be appreciated and things that I wanted in my career," Ayton said, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

"They didn't just throw me anywhere. They threw me where guys are my age and learning good basketball and starting something new. It could've been worse. I really got blessed to be a part of an organization that really valued me."

Ayton was traded to the Trail Blazers as part of the three-team deal that most notably sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

While his championship chances aren't what they were when he was playing alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, he seems pleased to be with a team that has its eye on the future. He has been in the league since 2018, but the big man just turned 25 years old in July and figures to have plenty of productive seasons remaining.

That future also looks bright for Portland if Scoot Henderson lives up to expectations as the No. 3 overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft. Filling Lillard's shoes may be too much of an ask right away, but he is a talented playmaker who elevates the long-term ceiling for the organization.

Anfernee Simons is also just 24 years old, while the 20-year-old Shaedon Sharpe was the No. 7 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft.

Throw in Jerami Grant as a potential veteran leader, and there is still plenty to like about the Trail Blazers even if they won't be realistic contenders after trading Lillard. The opportunity for Henderson, Simons, Sharpe and Ayton in particular to develop on-floor chemistry together is enticing and could set the stage for impressive seasons down the line.

Much of that relies on Ayton remaining a double-double force down low after he averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the field in 2022-23.

He may face more double teams than he did on a team with Durant and Booker hitting shots on the outside, but he is excited to be an integral part of a young team.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Scoot Henderson impressed fans with his playmaking ability during the team's 138-133 preseason loss to the Utah Jazz.

The third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft finished the night with 17 points and a team-leading eight assists in 28 minutes. The 19-year old struggled with his jumper, although he shot 4-8 in the second half after going 2-9 before the break.

Henderson's mixture of elite athleticism and a soft touch around the basket was evident all night long. He also used his 6'2", 195-pound frame to stick with Utah's guards on the defensive side of the ball. Fans took notice.

The two years in the G League really helped Scoot Henderson. He's more physically ready than a lot of rookies, especially rookie guards. And he has a really good feel for the NBA game too.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 15, 2023

Scoot will be a good defensive player. I have no doubt about that.

— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) October 15, 2023

https://twitter.com/Tjonesonthenba/status/1713373253719433476

https://twitter.com/UsherNBA/status/1713373379690909813

https://twitter.com/Mark_R_Pereira/status/1713365870293000277

https://twitter.com/trashSB_/status/1713349107082027208

Scoot has impressed me in every game I’ve watched him in so far. Great game sense, shooting and he seems to have the team behind him already.

— Bojenson (@bojensonmedia) October 15, 2023

Good D Scoot

— kevin ❄️ (@KY_PDX) October 15, 2023

Henderson has also been forming a strong on-court connection with the Trail Blazers' other top prospects, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. Simons led Portland in scoring with 29 points in 24 minutes as Sharpe added 20 off the bench while shooting 8-15 from the field.

Portland's future likely depends on the trio of young guards, who have all shown promise throughout the preseason. Henderson and Sharpe apply plenty of rim pressure, while Simons' long-range shooting helps space the floor.

Scoot + Ant = 3 points :) pic.twitter.com/AYRlDNYJHl

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 15, 2023

shae x scoot pic.twitter.com/YM7WZYphVh

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 15, 2023

Anfernee Simons has 18 PTS in 1Q 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CYrikgLjlL

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 15, 2023

https://twitter.com/PDX_The_God/status/1713384488883900575

Anfernee Simons is the most underrated player in the NBA 🤷🏻‍♂️

— Blazers Palace (@blazers_palace) October 15, 2023

For Utah, sharpshooting power forward Lauri Markkanen finished the night with 26 points on 9-12 shooting as he attempts to make back-to-back All-Star appearances. Rookie first-round pick Keyonte George looked impressive off the bench, scoring 17 points and dishing out four assists while shooting 3-6 from behind the arc.

The Trail Blazers' final preseason game is on Monday night, when they'll travel to the Footprint Center to take on the Phoenix Suns. Tip-off is at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton will face his old team for the first time in Thursday's preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, but he's not interested in discussing the franchise that traded him away.

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ayton refused to answer questions about the Suns and said, "I don't want to talk about Phoenix."

Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton had zero interest in talking about facing his former team, the Phoenix Suns, on Thursday night for the first some since being traded to Portland. pic.twitter.com/c0ALpYoU8D

— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) October 11, 2023

Ayton spent the first five years of his NBA career with the Suns after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2018. He was traded to Portland last month as part of a three-team deal that sent star point guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix received center Jusuf Nurkić and forward Nassir Little from the Blazers, and Grayson Allen from the Bucks

Ayton failed to live up to his draft status during his time in Phoenix, as he never developed into the dominant big man he was projected to be. He put up middling numbers of 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last season while shooting 58.8 percent from the field. His averages dipped across the board in the playoffs, posting 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 55.0 percent.

Following the Suns' elimination by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals last season, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that Phoenix players were frustrated "with what they perceive to be inconsistent effort and aggression from" Ayton.

While the seven-footer isn't interested in discussing the Suns for now, he will have to eventually. Portland will face Phoenix again on Monday and then four more times during the 2023-24 season.

Damian Lillard is a Milwaukee Buck and that reality is something he needs to get used to.

Lillard was dealt to the Bucks September 27 following an uneasy Summer saga that saw the seven-time All-Star request a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. His original preference was the Miami Heat, but instead he was dealt to the reigning Eastern Conference regular season champions.

Lillard told Sirius XM NBA Radio that his agent gauged his interest in Milwaukee about two weeks before the trade and he expressed that that could be a fit. Still, he said he was skeptical a deal would get done.

"I knew it was a possibility," Lillard said. "I just didn't think it was actually going to happen. So when it did I wasn't fully surprised but it wasn't what I thought that call was going to be."

“I don’t think it was a secret that Miami is where I wanted to go when I asked for a trade. When this conversation started, it was like ‘We’re not going to be able to build this team out. We’ll help you get to where you want to go’. And that was where I wanted to go”@Dame_Lillard https://t.co/96iAMx2w48 pic.twitter.com/8nDgtnq1Gz

— Dru (@dru_star) October 8, 2023

Lillard said he really liked the fit basketball-wise in Milwaukee and was excited about the possibility of playing alongside Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, he was not sure how that deal would get done, so he didn't necessarily hold out hope.

It's hard to blame Lillard for feeling a little uneasy about if the trade could work. His desire to go to Miami was curbed by the lackluster trade package they could provide, and a contending team like the Bucks isn't exactly flush with young, attractive assets that the Trail Blazers would be interested in.

However, Milwaukee was obviously able to swing the deal, with the Phoenix Suns joining in to make it a three-team trade, and now the Bucks look like a huge force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.

That is not a change, however. Milwaukee won the 2021 NBA Championships, have made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons and won 58 games in 2022-23 without Lillard in the fold. Adding him will only make the team more formidable and it shows Antetokounmpo that the team is interested in competing for another title.

The Damian Lillard era in Portland is over after the Trail Blazers honored the seven-time All-NBA guard's trade request and dealt him to the Milwaukee Bucks.

That move ended nearly three months of drama in which Lillard remained in limbo.

A trade to his coveted destination in Miami never went through, and Blazers general manager Joe Cronin reportedly shut the door on a potential return late in the summer when a deal had not yet materialized. All in all, it was a messy end to the Lillard era, as Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report covered.

In an interview with Ben Golliver of the Washington Post, Cronin admitted that he and Lillard "went through it this summer" and that the relationship "wasn't always amicable and perfect."

"[Lillard] and I went through it this summer," Cronin said.

"It wasn't always amicable and perfect. To be omitted from that [letter], I didn't take as anything more than it being a hard summer that we had both gone through. I wasn't one to be thanked at that moment. … Our directions didn't line up. Things didn't work out. We had pure intentions in our desire to build a winner around him. We were just unable to pull it off. I don't think that was a lie. We just couldn't get it done."

Lillard notably told Haynes that things "behind the scenes definitely left a sour taste in my mouth." He did pen a long letter to the city of Portland and Blazers fans upon his exit, however, notably thanking them and appreciate their love and support for all those years.

Ultimately, both sides have moved on. Portland is embarking on a new rebuild based around a host of young talent featuring No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson and a breakout second-year star in Shaedon Sharpe. Milwaukee, meanwhile, looks primed for a championship run with Lillard and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way.

As far as Lillard's return to Portland goes, the Bucks will be paying their visit to the Moda Center on Jan. 31.

Portland Trail Blazers chair Jody Allen told her team in "early September" it was time to "move on" from Damian Lillard, according to the Washington Post's Ben Golliver.

Lillard was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks September 28.

The seven-time All-Star had requested a trade in July after 11 seasons with Blazers.

"We really need to move on," Allen said on a Zoom call prior to the trade, as recalled by Blazers president Dewayne Hankins. "We've got great young talent. We're not like other rebuilding teams who don't have a strong core of young players. It's time to turn the page."

Allen's talk led to the Blazers' decision to remove Lillard from team promotional materials, where he was replaced by with No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson and last season's breakout star Anfernee Simons, per Golliver.

Despite Lillard's public criticism of the Blazers, he was a frequent defender of Allen. Last summer, he challenged a report claiming Allen had refused to meet with him about his problems with the team. This summer, he took to Instagram live to clarify liking a negative social media post regarding Allen had been an accident.

Lillard also thanked Allen for her "support in some difficult situations away from basketball" in the goodbye letter he posted the day after being traded.

"Jody, the first time I met you, you had on a pair of Alexander McQueen sneakers and a vintage Blazers jacket, and I thought to myself, this is a cool woman," Lillard wrote. "I knew we would be alright. I apologize for any misunderstanding this summer because you have truly been great about everything the last five years."

Despite the positive relationship between Allen and Lillard, it was apparently clear to Allen Lillard wasn't going to be part of the Blazers' future.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick, Lillard had told the Blazers he was willing to participate in the start of the season to facilitate a trade with his preferred destination of the Miami Heat, but general manager Joe Cronin was skeptical. Blazers management wanted to remove "speculation and what they believed was a cloud over the organization" before the start of training camp, per Charania and Amick.

That was reportedly when Allen made the call for the team to begin distancing itself promotionally from Lillard. Given that he is now a Buck, it seems to have been the right choice.

Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin's public approach matched how he operated behind the scenes when it came to the Damian Lillard saga, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"Cronin talked to his staff about controlling the tempo of the talks, slowing the process and using July and August to explore the marketplace," Wojnarowski reported.

The report added that other NBA executives told Cronin he should act in the Blazers' best interest and basically not accept a lesser deal if that's what was required to get Lillard to his preferred destination, the Miami Heat.

"Through it all, Cronin told himself: Eliminate the emotion, the frustration, the fatigue," Wojnarowski wrote. "And most of all, Cronin implored himself: Don't settle. Don't let yourself settle.

Some would contend Cronin did let his emotion get the better of him in the end.

Deandre Ayton and Jrue Holiday headlined Portland's trade return from a three-deal deal that included the Milwaukee Bucks. The Blazers also received a 2029 first-round pick from the Bucks and the swap rights to Milwaukee's 2028 and 2030 first-rounders.

Maybe that's less than Cronin could've netted from the Heat.

ESPN's Marc J. Spears reported Miami initially put Tyler Herro and two first-rounders on the table, but it doesn't appear that was the team's final offer. Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes offered more insight shortly after the Lillard trade was arranged:

The Heat say they never had a legitimate opportunity to negotiate. Throughout the process, they felt Portland allowed emotions to get in the way of business. Lillard's camp believed it had become personal.

Miami believes it could have included a third team and netted the Trail Blazers up to three first-round picks with the inclusion of Tyler Herro.

Others will come to Cronin's defense.

While the Bucks may not have been Lillard's first choice, getting to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo is a pretty good consolation prize. Milwaukee is one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference on paper now as well.

Portland's haul is nothing to scoff at, either, especially if Cronin can turn around and flip Holiday. The 33-year-old might actually be a better trade asset than Herro thanks to his track record and two-way ability.

I like Tyler Herro, and he's a good player.

There is no circumstance where he would return more for the Blazers right now in a trade than Jrue Holiday will return. And I'd much rather bet on 2028-2030 Milwaukee draft picks being valuable than 2028-2030 Miami picks.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 28, 2023

Much like every other blockbuster trade, it's tough to judge Cronin too much one way or the other without more time to see the full effects of the deal.

As the Portland Trail Blazers explore the trade market for Jrue Holiday, the two-time All-Star has a general preference for the type of team he would like to play for.

Per SNY.tv's Ian Begley, teams that have shown interest in Holiday believe he "prefers to be in a situation where he can win and potentially sign an extension."

Holiday was acquired by the Blazers as part of the Damian Lillard trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Portland is "expected to engage contending teams" in trade talks involving the 33-year-old.

Per Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls are among the teams Holiday would have interest in playing for.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst cited the New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks as teams with draft assets that would be very appealing to Portland if they wanted to get in the mix.

The Sacramento Kings were also on Windhorst's list, but The Athletic's Sam Amick noted they won't make a push after looking into the situation.

For those Kings fans wondering, I'm told Sacramento won't be part of the Jrue Holiday sweepstakes. They looked at it (naturally), like so many other teams, but aren't in the mix.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) September 29, 2023

The Athletic's Shams Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show there is a "good chance" Holiday gets traded before NBA media day on Monday. He added that the Sixers are "going to be going hard" in their efforts to acquire the veteran point guard.

Holiday is entering the final guaranteed season of his current contract. He will earn $34.95 million in 2023-24 with a $37.4 million player option for 2024-25.

One of the best two-way guards in the NBA, it's not a surprise that so many teams will at least kick the tires on a potential Holiday trade. He has been named to the All-Defensive team five times in the past six seasons, including three first-team selections in 2017-18, 2020-21 and 2022-23.

Holiday averaged 19.3 points on 47.9 percent shooting from the field, 7.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game in 67 appearances for the Bucks last season.

With Jrue Holiday's future up in the air, the Portland Trail Blazers point guard reportedly has his eyes on a handful of teams.

The two-time All-Star was dealt from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade that sent star point guard Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. Holiday may not be in Portland for long, however, as the Trail Blazers are reportedly open to moving the veteran.

Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, there are a number of teams that would interest Holiday.

"League sources told the Miami Herald on Thursday that the [Miami] Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers are destinations that appeal to Holiday," Chiang and Jackson wrote. "That's important because Holiday, 33, can become a free agent next summer with a player option worth $37.4 million in his contract for the 2024-25 season."

Miami may be the most ironic option, considering it would require a move to be made between the Heat and the Trail Blazers. Lillard preferred the Heat as a destination early in the process, but Miami was unable to offer a suitable package.

Holiday would not command a package as high as Lillard would, perhaps making him easier to acquire for Miami. He could be a tenacious defender alongside Jimmy Butler on a Heat team that reached the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed in 2023.

Boston, the team that the Heat defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals, is also an interesting option. The team dealt away long-time guard Marcus Smart in the offseason and Holiday could play a similar role to Smart in Boston.

The Bulls were also in on Lillard and could see a lot of value in adding Holiday. The team is looking to become a fixture in the playoff picture after missing out on the postseason in five of the last six seasons, and adding Holiday in the absence of Lonzo Ball would surely help in this regard.

The Clippers, Lakers and 76ers have also been in on point guards all offseason, with the Clippers desperately looking to find a trade with guard James Harden. Holiday is likely a rental as he has a player option following the season but is otherwise set to hit unrestricted free agency.

Damian Lillard said his public goodbye to Portland Thursday night.

"Dame Time has run out," the former Trail Blazers guard wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday after 11 seasons with the Blazers. He requested a trade from the team in July.

"I must admit it does make me sad to see some people cross over and appear as my opposition in the wake of me asking to be traded without knowing the facts," Lillard wrote.

RipCity Forever ❤️… Dame Time has run out 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Rnm8oT5qF7

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) September 28, 2023

Lillard told Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes Wednesday that things "behind the scenes definitely left a sour taste in my mouth" following his trade request.

"But it doesn't change the amazing experiences I've had with the Trail Blazers and this city," Lillard told Haynes. "I'll always cherish this place. This is my home. I'll always live here regardless."

pic.twitter.com/mRB30YwVx2

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) September 28, 2023

Lillard said he told general manager Joe Cronin he would prefer to remain with the Blazers if they couldn't complete a deal with his preferred trade destination of the Miami Heat, and Cronin told him "there was no coming back," Haynes reported.

"Lillard was shocked, sources said," Haynes wrote. "He said it was discouraging to hear he couldn't return, but added that he didn't want to be somewhere he wasn't wanted, and he ended the meeting."

In his farewell message, Lillard wrote that he had "always prayed" his time with the Blazers "would lead to retirement—not another team."

"I leave with nothing but love for the fans and this city," Lillard wrote. "That will never change."

Lillard's message, which did not mention Cronin, included messages of gratitude to multiple members of the Blazers organization, including chair Jody Allen, former general manager Neil Olshey and head coach Chauncey Billups, who has coached the team for the past two seasons.

Lillard also sent a shoutout to Anfernee Simons, a teammate of five seasons who is fresh out of his breakout 21.1 point-per-game 2022-23 campaign with the Blazers.

"He hates when I say it, but I truly believe in you man," Lillard wrote to Simons. "I saw it from the jump. It's not so much the gifts you have from God and pure talent but the person you are that gave me true confidence in what you could become in this league. I'm excited to see you become it."

Lillard finished his goodbye by saying he believes "a day will come where I put a Blazers uniform on again."

"Hopefully by then I'll be forgiven for breaking your hearts along with my own," Lillard wrote.