The NBA offseason has been as eventful and newsworthy as fans could have hoped for as the long anticipated trade of Damian Lillard has finally taken place. Even more surprising than the timing of trade was where he ended up going as instead of joining the Miami Heat as previously speculated he ended up with the Milwaukee Bucks who had the best record in the NBA last year. With the addition of Lillard, the Bucks already have the lethal combination of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to pair with him which at least on paper should make them the favorites to come out of the East next season. However, the trade not only has affect on the Bucks title chances but also already has a major impact on the other contending teams in the east who could stand in Milwaukee's way.
No team had been more involved in trade speculation over the course of the offseason than the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat. Miami was reportedly not only Lillard's preferred destination but also the only place he really wanted to go if he were to leave Portland. Unfortunately, not only did the Heat not acquire Lillard but he ended up going to the team that will look to avenge their historic upset loss in the first round should the Bucks match up with the Heat again in the playoffs next season. Since that playoff matchup, both teams already look drastically different but in the Heat's case they have so far not filled many of the holes in their team Lillard surely would have filled. Key players that performed well in their surprising playoff run like Gabe Vincent and Max Strus left in free agency so it will be interesting to see how missing out on the Lillard sweepstakes will impact their playoff run. I expect the Heat to be a quality playoff team but right now the Eastern Conference appears to be a two team race between the Bucks and Celtics.
Immediately after the trade of Lillard to Milwaukee it became increasingly clear that the Bucks and Celtics could be on a collision course to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the Celtics managed to pull off a big trade of their own to counter the Bucks as they were able to acquire 2-time All-Star Jrue Holiday from the Blazers. Holiday was originally traded to Portland as part of the 3-team trade involving Damian Lillard but now is once again the starting point guard of a championship contender in the Celtics. This move undoubtedly was made in response to the Lillard trade as the Celtics were not only in need of a premiere defensive minded guard after the trade of Marcus Smart but also a player that can matchup well against Lillard. With the acquisition of Holiday, the Celtics arguably have the best starting five in the NBA. However, losing Robert Williams who was traded to the Blazers as part of the deal for Holiday could be an issue for the Celtics frontcourt depth due to the injury history of Kristaps Porzingis.
Additionally, other contending teams in the East such as the Sixers, Cavaliers, and Knicks could face some uncertainty at least in the short term as its unlikely any of them. could defeat Milwaukee or Boston in a 7-game series. The Sixers arguably face the toughest choice as they have been unable to make even a Conference Final in the Embiid era and with Harden's desire to be traded their title window could be closed. Despite having the reigning MVP and being a win away from the conference finals, this season could make last year's loss to the Celtics feel like they may have missed their last best chance at a Finals run. As for The Cavaliers and Knicks, they both have plenty of young talent but are likely at least a key piece away from contending with the top of East in the immediate future.
Source: Bleacher Report YouTube Channel
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