The Milwaukee Bucks continued to make their push toward an NBA title by reshuffling the core that led them to their second one, sending all-star point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team deal that brought all-NBA point guard Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.

“Damian Lillard is an elite player in our league and someone we’ve long been fans of,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement late Wednesday night. “These opportunities are rare and hard to measure and execute. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity for our community and team, and beyond excited to welcome Damian and his family to the Milwaukee Bucks. His character, competitiveness, talent and experience complement our group and gives us the best chance to win at the very highest level as we create new memories together.”

Lillard heads to the Bucks in a three-team deal that also saw Milwaukee ship out their 2029 first-round draft pick, and 2028 and 2030 first-round pick swap rights to the Trail Blazers. All are unprotected picks.

The Bucks also sent shooting guard Grayson Allen to Phoenix, as the Trail Blazers netted center Deandre Ayton and forward Toumani Camara from the Suns. Along with Allen, the Suns picked up center Jusuf Nurkic and guards Nassir Little and Keon Johnson from Portland.

Damian Lillard is a Top 75 NBA player

Lillard, who just turned 33, is a seven-time all-NBA player and all-star and was named to the league’s 75th anniversary team with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The 6-foot, 2-inch guard has been plagued by injury the past two seasons and has not played more than 70 games since 2018-19, but averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game and shot 37.1% from behind the three-point line last season.

In his 11-year career – all in Portland – Lillard has averaged 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game. He is also a career 37.2% three-point shooter and 43.9% shooter overall. During his tenure with the Trail Blazers, they advanced to the Western Conference finals once (2019). But in 61 career playoff games, Lillard averaged 25.7 points per game on 41.2% shooting.

Jrue Holiday was missing title piece

Holiday, 33, was acquired by the Bucks prior to the 2020-21 season, and was the missing piece for the team as they looked to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference. Holiday turned in an all-star season last year in averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 assists. Holiday also made three all-defensive teams in his stint in Milwaukee.

Holiday, who told the Journal Sentinel he had hoped to sign an extension with the Bucks in February and finish his career in Milwaukee, appeared in 193 regular-season games and 40 playoff games. He also won a gold medal representing the United States in the Tokyo Olympic Games while a member of the organization.

“These are the hardest, most human moments of this business,” Horst said in the statement. “Jrue was unmatched in his commitment to the Bucks and the greater Milwaukee community. He’s truly a champion on and off the court, and we are all thankful for what he and his family have given to our team and city. He and his wife Lauren were steadfast in their efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of so many people. Their leadership and dedication to the community has left an indelible mark and inspired the Bucks organization for years to come.”

Grayson Allen was a two-year starter

Allen, who is about to turn 28, was acquired in trade prior to the 2021-22 season. He started 131 of the 138 games he played for the Bucks and averaged 10.7 points per game on 40.4% three-point shooting.

“We are grateful to Grayson for his many contributions to the Bucks,” Horst said in the statement. “He added to the winning culture in Milwaukee, and we wish him great success.”

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The Bucks have emptied out the first-round draft picks

In sending out unprotected first-round-pick swap rights in 2028 and 2030, along with their unprotected first-round pick in 2029, the Bucks now do not control their own first-round pick until 2031.

To acquire Holiday, the Bucks still owe New Orleans a first-round swap right in 2024, their 2025 pick if it lands in the top four, a swap in 2026 and their 2027 first-rounder. The Knicks will get the Bucks pick in 2025 if it lands between No. 5-30.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks trading Jrue Holiday for Portland star Damian Lillard