NBA Trade Rumors: Damian Lillard Heads to Orlando In Proposed Trade

The good news for the Milwaukee Bucks is that Damian Lillard returned to the lineup for Game 2 of their first-round series after missing over a month with deep vein thrombosis in his leg (blood clot).

The bad news is that they lost once again and now trail the Indiana Pacers 2-0 in their series ahead of Game 3 Friday night in Milwaukee.

If the Bucks don't stage a comeback and somehow pull off a win in this series, major changes could be on the horizon for the team, as this would mark their third straight first-round elimination. The team has only won one playoff series since going all the way to winning the NBA championship in 2021.

And if superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't ask for a trade this summer, then perhaps Lillard could be on the move as the team will be desperate to try to build a winner around the Greek Freak to keep him in town.

In that scenario, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report has proposed the following deal that would send Dame Time to Orlando—a team desperately in need of offense and three-point shooting.

Orlando Magic Receive:

PG Damian Lillard

Milwaukee Bucks Receive:

G Jalen Suggs
F/C Wendell Carter Jr.
G Cole Anthony
2025 first-round pick

The Orlando Magic are in tough in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics, but with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner up front, they can be a team on the rise if they address their struggles to create offense (they ranked 27th in the NBA this season at that end of the floor).

Adding a dynamic scorer and playmaker to the backcourt like Lillard would fill a huge need, and propel them into the upper echolon of the Eastern Conference.

"Lillard... would be the perfect fit for this young team in need of offensive creation, three-point shooting, playoff experience and leadership," writes Swartz.

As for the Bucks, they would re-tool the team around Giannis, by getting a defensive dynamo for the backcourt in Suggs, something they've been missing since letting perennial All-Defensive Team member Jrue Holiday go two years ago in what's turned out to be a disastrous move for the team.

Brook Lopez isn't getting any younger at the pivot (just turned 37), and besides, is a free agent after the season. Wendell Carter Jr. is 11 years younger, and can handle center if Lopez leaves.

In addition, the prerequisite first-round pick would top off the package for Milwaukee.