Blazers deal Damian Lillard to Bucks in blockbuster 3-team deal

Bucks emerge as NBA title favorites after Damian Lillard news
Blazers deal Damian Lillard to Bucks in blockbuster 3-team deal

The Milwaukee Bucks emerged as the consensus betting favorites to win the NBA title Wednesday after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported they would be acquiring superstar guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team blockbuster deal that shook up the odds at U.S. sportsbooks.

The Bucks moved ahead of the defending-champion Denver Nuggets and into the top spot in Caesars Sportsbook's odds to win the title. Milwaukee was +375 on Wednesday afternoon, after the deal was reported. The Nuggets were +425, followed by the Boston Celtics (+500) and Phoenix Suns (+550). No other teams had single-digit title odds at Caesars.

The Portland Trail Blazers traded guard Damian Lillard to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team deal that also included the Phoenix Suns, the teams announced Wednesday.

Portland receives Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Milwaukee's 2029 unprotected first-round draft pick and unprotected Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2030, the teams said in their release.

The Suns receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson as part of the trade package.

The Blazers are expected to engage contending teams on trade talks to move Holiday, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.