Prior to the 2023–24 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks and everyone else had high expectations for them, and they fell well short of those expectations. It was intended that Adrian Griffin’s hiring as head coach in lieu of Mike Budenholzer would resolve rotation concerns and establish a high bar for future coaches in Milwaukee. Perhaps Griffin, who was fired halfway through the season despite being 30-13 at the time, set too high of a standard. Additionally, Milwaukee executed a huge trade to acquire Damian Lillard, an eight-time All-Star. The Bucks had to trade Grayson Allen to the Phoenix Suns and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers (who traded him to the Boston Celtics) in order to acquire him.
Trade rumors involving Lillard had been going on for months, as many fans would recall. The Miami Heat, who the NBA 75th Anniversary squad member had stated was his preferred destination, were allegedly the sole team involved in trade talks prior to his trade to the Bucks. However, Portland demanded a higher price, and the Heat refused, allowing Bucks general manager Jon Horst to surreptitiously step in and close a deal.
Before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard was completely unproductive. During a recent appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, head coach of the Bucks Doc Rivers disclosed a startling admission that Lillard had made to him shortly after he moved to Milwaukee:
Two or three days before training camp, I was completely unaware that Dame had been traded. “Coach, I didn’t work out all summer,” he stated to us over dinner. This is the first time I have not worked out in my life. I was really afraid that working out would damage me. “He was aware that he would be traded. “You know, I did some light running,” he added. I took some solo shooting at the gym. However, I didn’t exert much effort. One of the reasons you adore him is that he was forthright about it. “This is the worst shape I’ve ever been in,” he declared.
It makes sense, financially and commercially speaking, why Lillard was anxious about getting injured during a workout. Just take a look at the criticism Giannis is receiving for his desire to represent Greece at the Olympics. Although he is recovering from an injury, Lillard was also sidelined prior to his trade to Milwaukee. However, it is also disappointing that Lillard did not play at his peak level for the Bucks past season. Positively, Milwaukee will have a point guard who is in shape and has spent the entire offseason working with his teammates come next season if the “bad” version of the eight-time All-Star averages 24 points and seven assists per game.