On September 27, Damian Lillard successfully orchestrated a trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, a seismic deal that transformed
the NBA landscape and the immediate fortunes of approximately a half-dozen teams. It's the kind of move that makes NHL fans and consumers envious.
After spending the first 11 seasons of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard, a seven-time All-Star and one of the most dangerous scorers of his generation,
sought a change of scenery, with the declared objective of joining the Miami Heat. Portland acquired Deandre Ayton, the league's first-round pick in 2018, a 2029 first-round pick,
pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, and Jrue Holiday, perhaps the league's top defensive player. Holiday was then traded to the Boston
Not only are blockbuster transactions the lifeblood of the offseason and a great excuse to take the afternoon off to talk sports,
but they also provide an opportunity to significantly impact multiple clubs at once. The Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau transaction last summer had a significant impact on
the Panthers and Flames, with the former riding Tkachuk's clutch scoring to the Final, while
Huberdeau regressed by 60 points and could be dangled in another trade as the Flames look for some direction.
Not only are blockbuster transactions the lifeblood of the offseason and a great excuse to take the afternoon off to talk sports