It’s happened folks, and it's a team no one saw coming.

After months of speculation, Damian Lillard is officially heading to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team trade that sees Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, an unprotected first-round pick and two pick swaps to Portland, and Jusif Nurkic, Grayson Allen, and Nassir Little going to Phoenix.

Wow…

It’s certainly a bold move by a Milwaukee team that has been put on the clock by Giannis Antetekoumpo to put together another contending roster.  Does the trade move the needle though?

Maybe, although it should be noted that Jrue Holiday’s defense prowess was critical for the team over the last few years.  On top of that, the depth on this team was questionable before the trade, and now it’s even worse, as Khris Middleton looked semi-washed last year, and Brook Lopez is a year older.

Having said all that, they now have one of the elite two-man tandems in Gianns and Lillard, and they’ll be a terror to guard on offence. Does it propel them to title contention once again? Maybe….time will tell.

On the flip side, this deal makes a ton of sense for Portland.  Getting Ayton in the building is a perfect fit with the young roster in place.  He’ll be able to expand his role with this team, and should enjoy an uptick of touches and shots.

Holiday was also a smart pickup, as he’ll be a nice mentor to young guard Scoot Henderson..  They also got some significant draft capital to boot.

In the end Dame…sort of got his way.  No, its not the glitz and glam of South Beach, but he finds himself in a win now situation, playing alongside a top 3 player in the world.

What a crazy league this is.