In a blockbuster 2023 offseason gamble, the Milwaukee Bucks traded All-Defensive combo guard Jrue Holiday — with whom they had won their first title in 50 years — for aging superstar point guard Damian Lillard with their sights set on expanding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s championship window.
Instead, it’s starting to look like they acquired a lemon.
The 34-year-old hasn’t played at the All-NBA level he achieved during his Portland Trail Blazers-era prime, and has been beset by major injuries across each of the past three seasons.
Now, a scary blood clot issue has shut down the 6-foot-2 Weber State product indefinitely, mere weeks before the April 19 start of the 2024-25 playoffs.
Read More: Bucks’ Damian Lillard Out Indefinitely with Serious Blood Clot Issue
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Lillard is suffering from a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, specifically. He is currently on a blood thinner to stabilize the ailment.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard has sustained a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf. Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the blood clot, and will continue with regular testing. He is out indefinite period. pic.twitter.com/CC7k9bXnZV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2025
Blood clots can be a highly variable problem for players. They ended 11-time All-Star Miami Heat/Toronto Raptors power forward/center Chris Bosh’s career early, although other players have been able to rebound and return to the hardwood.
Should the Milwaukee medical team rule Lillard out for the Bucks’ postseason, that will effectively end the team’s title aspirations.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Granted, the club already looks like a long shot to be a serious contender in a top-heavy Eastern Conference dominated by two deep, superstar-laden two-way clubs in the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. But without Lillard’s clutch shot creation and passing, the Bucks offense will crater late.
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Lillard’s backup at the point, Ryan Rollins, is a better defender, but presents a far less complete offensive package. Antetokounmpo needs a secondary scoring option with a handle. Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez aren’t going to cut it.
The Bucks have the defense to hang with anyone, and Antetokounmpo is a one-man wrecking crew in the half court, but when opposing defenses tighten up, he needs more versatile scoring optionality and more full court creativity. That’s what Damian Lillard gave him.
That was even a problem for the team when Antetokounmpo’s ex-Bucks comrades Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton were in their primes — and was part of general manager Jon Horst’s impetus in flipping Holiday for Lillard’s exorbitant contract in the summer of 2023.
In 58 healthy bouts this season for the 40-31 Bucks, Lillard is averaging 24.9 points on .448/.376/.921 shooting splits, plus 7.1 dimes and 4.7 boards.
Head coach Doc Rivers will no doubt try to make up for Lillard’s offense piece meal, but replacing a superstar guard — even one who appears to be on the decline — will likely prove too tall a task for the Bucks to survive four playoff rounds.
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