The Damian Lillard trade saga finally concluded last month after dragging on for the entirety of the offseason. Dame DOLLA went to the Milwaukee Bucks from the Trail Blazers as a part of a three-team deal. At first, it seemed like a win-win situation, with Lillard getting his wish and the Bucks adding an All-Star caliber player to fulfill Giannis’ title contention dreams. But Giannis had to bid goodbye to his ‘brother’, who was traded in the process of Dame acquisition.

Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo played alongside each other for three years and won a championship together. A few weeks after the trade, Giannis opened up about the bittersweet trade and the painful reality of their championship run.

Giannis Antetokounmpo gives his flowers to ‘brother’ Jrue Holiday

The Dame trade sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers before eventually being traded to the Boston Celtics. The move ended Holiday’s three-year spell with Giannis, in which they won the Larry O’Brien trophy two years ago. Holiday played a crucial role in the team’s victory. After bidding him farewell a few weeks ago, the 7-time All-Star opened up about his relationship with his former teammate.

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The Bucks forward sat down with Marc J. Spears of Andscape to talk about the blockbuster trade and how it felt losing his teammate and friend Jrue Holiday. He said, “It?s bigger than basketball, obviously. With Jrue, I won a championship, and he?s the reason why now I?m a champion”. Jrue Holiday notched 17.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in the playoffs that year. His defensive ability made him a perfect foil for Antetokounmpo, who went on to earn the Finals MVP award.

Read More: NBA Preseason Rosters: Lakers vs. Bucks ? Are LeBron James and Anthony Davis Playing Tonight vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co?

He then went on to wish the 2-time All-Star a good future ahead, “I wish him the best in everything that he does. And you never know down the road, you still might be teammates again. I love him. I don?t love him as a basketball player. I love him as a brother.”

Giannis is excited to play with Damian Lillard

On the other hand, the acquisition of Dame instantly made the Bucks the betting favorites to win the title this year. Lillard’s skill perfectly complements that of Giannis, making them one of the most lethal tandems in recent memory.

Although the trade was bittersweet, Giannis agrees it is now time to move ahead and work with what you’ve got rather than ruminating on the past. He said, “I wish him [Jrue Holiday] the best in the next chapter. Now with the Boston Celtics ? not against us; against everybody else. But it?s definitely bittersweet. But now you just got to look at today and look about how can we get better right now and tomorrow. Get ready for the season right now. Dame, I?m excited for him to be here and I?m excited to go to war with him every single day.”

The dynamic duo will suit up for their first match together after the trade against the Los Angeles Lakers. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments!

Watch this story: Will Damian Lillard Finally Make His Bucks Debut Tonight Against Lebron James? Lakers?