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Grade the trade: Suns finally move Ayton for… Nurkic?

By Luke Duffy

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots while defended by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Moda Center on December 14, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots while defended by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Moda Center on December 14, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – APRIL 02: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – APRIL 02: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Grade the trade: Suns finally move for Ayton for… Nurkic?

The Bucks heard their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo loud and clear this offseason, and acted accordingly. Giannis had never before floated the idea of leaving Milwaukee, but he begun to change his tune and open the door on possibly playing elsewhere in future.

His team should be commended for actually doing something about this so soon, especially when everybody felt he was going to end up on the Miami Heat. All indications had pointed to that being the outcome, with Heat star Jimmy Butler taking to Instagram in a somewhat tongue in cheek moment to voice his displeasure.

For the Bucks though, this is undoubtedly a win. Losing Holiday hurts, and plenty of teams are going to call the Trail Blazers to enquire about him. He is an elite defensive guard who can be out on the court when the stakes are highest and is in no way a negative offensively either. Holiday is an excellent floor general.

But stars win championships, and there aren’t much better than Lillard in his prime. The Suns were probably the only team in the entire league with two top 10 players in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. That has changed now that Lillard and Giannis have teamed up.

Related Story. 5 instant reactions to Suns moving Ayton in blockbuster trade. light

This was a move you do every time, and losing Holiday and a future first, given the obscene sums superstars go for these days, was more than fair value. The Bucks have shown they’re serious about keeping Antetokounmpo happy — and he surely has to be after this as his team catapult back to the top of the pile.

Grade: A

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