Bucks Acquiring Damian Lillard a Boost to One Celtics Rival, Potentially Fatal Blow to Another

Damian Lillard joining Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks is far from ideal for the Celtics. But the Heat's offseason seemingly hinged on adding the seven-time All-Star.

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The Milwaukee Bucks changed the NBA landscape on Wednesday, pulling off a deal they hope propels them to their second championship in four years.

Acquiring seven-time All-NBA selection Damian Lillard and pairing him with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez gives Milwaukee a potent and well-balanced quartet.

It also gives the Bucks a star who can shoulder the responsibility of creating late-game offense, addressing an area of concern that has hurt them in the playoffs in recent years.

75 players used at least 2 isolation possessions per game in ‘22-‘23

Dame was the 2nd most efficient at 1.13 points per possession on 5.0 IOSs per game

Jrue was 72nd out of 75 at 0.76 ppp on 3.2 per game

Massive offensive shift, especially in a playoff setting… pic.twitter.com/Q6fOnTDViY

— NBA University (@NBA_University) September 27, 2023

But as one franchise celebrates, (at least) one other mourns. 

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Lillard landing on one of the top teams in the East isn't a positive outcome for the Boston Celtics, but this development is a far more significant blow to the Miami Heat.

The latter seemingly put most, if not all, of their eggs in the Lillard basket. They lost their starting backcourt of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus and mostly sat out the summer's flurry of activity.

Perhaps the Heat will acquire Jrue Holiday, who the Portland Trail Blazers intend to trade for more assets. But as previously detailed, Portland's lack of interest in adding Tyler Herro stood in the way of bringing Lillard to South Beach and may do the same in Miami's presumed pursuit of Holiday.

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Maybe Pat Riley pivots by swinging a deal for disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden, but that won't strike the same fear in opponents as a trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Lillard would have. 

It's also taking a gamble on a player with a lengthy track record of shrinking in the most critical moments, just as he did in Game 7 of the Sixers' Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Celtics, when Harden provided only nine points on 3/11 shooting, finishing with a plus-minus rating of minus-30.

So, while Lillard joining Antetokounmpo on the Bucks is far from an ideal outcome for Boston, it would've been worse for the Celtics had the seven-time All-Star wound up with the team that didn't need his services to best the C's in this year's Eastern Conference Finals.

Further Reading

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