Doc Rivers and Damian Lillard (Photos via Getty Images)
After spending eleven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard desired to join some other franchise. While anxiously waiting for a nod from his new home, the point guard barely made an effort in training to avoid injury and hence went out of shape.

The Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers made the shocking revelation in his appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.“ Narrating last year’s incident, the veteran coach stated, “We were at dinner, and he said, ‘Coach, I didn’t work out all summer. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve not worked out. I was so scared of getting injured working out.’ He knew he was gonna get traded.”

Lillard was aware that he would be receiving a call, so he didn’t want to risk it by working too hard on himself. After he got added to the Bucks’ roster, he confessed about his poor physical condition to the coach. However, he soon gained his fitness by training twice every day.

Appearing for 73 games with the Bucks in the regular season, Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7 assists and even got selected for the 2024 All-Star games. However, his numbers had dipped from the 2022-2023 season with the Portland franchise.

When the Bucks acquired the 33-year-old, they were hoping to march for the championship trophy, but it didn’t go as planned. Little did they know, the trade would still drag them under scrutiny after a whole season.

Draymond Green Believes Damian Lillard Trade Handed Championship to Celtics

Recently on the “Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors veteran agreed with Joel Embiid that the Milwaukee Bucks gifted the championship trophy by trading Jrue Holiday to the Blazers and from there to the Celtics while adding Damian Lillard to their squad.

While discussing the former MVP’s opinion, the host said, “Yes, they actually did because they traded Jrue away. And like, I just think even in that trade, like, you got to find and do all you can to like, keep Jrue.” Draymond further emphasized Holiday’s versatility and ability to guard bigger players in the game.

During last year’s offseason, the Bucks let Holiday go to the Blazers and replaced him with Lillard. Jrue was then traded to the Celtics, where he made a huge difference, becoming the final piece to their championship puzzle.