Lakers News: West Rival's Title Odds Improve After 3-Team Damian Lillard Trade

A league-shifting move all around.

Trade rumors swirled around former Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard without a  materialized deal for months even if the Los Angeles Lakers might have entered said sweepstakes.

Held up by the Miami Heat's undesirable trade package, the Blazers shocked the NBA world after they sent their franchise icon to the Milwaukee Bucks instead. 

Both needed a third team to complete the full transaction and LA's title hopes sunk just a tad due to Phoenix's inclusion in the completed deal. 

Following today’s trade, the Bucks’ title odds went from +700 to +370. The Suns moved from +800 to +600.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) September 27, 2023

Milwaukee appears as to be considered the biggest winner in the trade for obvious reasons after they paired Lillard with their championship duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. 

Long rumored in trade talks, the Suns finally shipped off DeAndre Ayton and quieted doubts about their rotation after they secured Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen as key rotational pieces in exchange for him 

The Blazers' youth movement is officially on after they drafted Scoot Henderson third overall in this season's draft and cleared the runway for his talents without Lillard as a logjam to said progress. 

Now misaligned with his new team's timeline once again, Jrue Holiday could easily be on the move to a contender and Portland likely will grant this request in the next few weeks. 

Should Rob Pelinka want another All-Star to pair alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, a trade for the gritty defender and willing passer would spell a homecoming for Holiday as a former UCLA product. 

Such a move would certainly benefit the Lakers' halfcourt offense and a backcourt of the former Bruin alongside Austin Reaves might tilt those betting odds back into LA's favor. 

It remains to be seen just what the Lakers' front office will do in the coming weeks, but a move of this magnitude certainly changes things for LA and the league as a whole. 

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or LA Sports Report yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!