The Portland Path Blazers now characteristic one of many league’s most revered veteran backcourts following a whirlwind collection of offseason strikes. When the Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard earlier this month, the transfer surprised a lot of the NBA. However what caught much more consideration was the rapid message Lillard acquired from Jrue Vacation, who had not too long ago joined Portland in a separate deal.
In keeping with Bleacher Report, Lillard revealed the story throughout his youth camp Thursday. BR proceeded to submit a clip on X, previously generally known as Twitter, that captured the second he described the alternate, courtesy of the Blazers group.
“As quickly as I bought waived, he despatched me the 👀 emoji”
The importance wasn’t misplaced on the 13-year veteran. He interpreted the emoji as a sign from Vacation that the door was open for a return to Portland. For the 35-year-old level guard, it marked a full-circle second after being traded to the Bucks in 2023 as a part of a deal that initially concerned Vacation. Whereas Lillard spent two seasons in Milwaukee, averaging 25.7 factors per sport, Vacation discovered success with the Boston Celtics, serving to the group win the 2024 NBA title. However the guard was traded again to Portland this June for Anfernee Simons, only one month earlier than the Bucks waiver cleared Lillard’s cap-heavy contract from their books.
Now, each gamers discover themselves on the identical rebuilding group that completed 36-46 final season. For Vacation, who’s 35-years-old, the pairing presents not solely veteran management however emotional continuity. His expertise successful on the highest degree provides a confirmed pedigree to a Path Blazers group in transition. That background may assist propel Portland to the subsequent step in its rebuild.
Vacation’s message, and the lighthearted story Lillard shared—about discussing Wi-Fi in the home he rented from Vacation in Milwaukee after they had been traded for one another—solely bolstered how shut their connection has remained regardless of by no means being teammates till now.
Their careers have lengthy been intertwined, courting again to the Blazers icon tried to recruit Vacation to Portland in 2021. That by no means materialized—till now. What started as an emoji could evolve into one of many extra compelling veteran backcourts within the Western Convention, particularly if each gamers stay wholesome by the upcoming season.
Although the NBA free company market stays lively, few strikes carry the emotional weight or fan intrigue of this new pairing. With Portland leaning on younger expertise and good contracts, Lillard and Vacation may function essential guides on and off the court docket.
If nothing else, the “👀” textual content could go down as one of the crucial memorable recruiting pitches of the summer season.