Damian Lillard addresses Trail Blazers-Bucks trade in 'Farewell' song
Hours after the news broke that Damian Lillard was being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, the star point guard chose music to tell his side of the saga between him and the Portland Trail Blazers.
The seven-time All-Star released a song called "Farewell" via his stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A. On the nearly three-minute single, Lillard reflected on his personal journey through the NBA and his growth as a man and father.
Toward the end of the track, he sent well wishes to Trail Blazers fans and shed light on the difference of viewpoint with the team's front office.
"Amazing what I get in return for this labor/I continue leaving trails, but won't be for the Blazers/To the fans, man, I love you, it's unconditional/Reasons for me leaving the city's nothing typical/So it's imperative not to believe the narrative/Just know that what I left is better than what I inherited/I leave at peace 'cause I know in the end that this is business/Hope you remember all the things you got to sit and witness/In the future, man, I hope we greet with hugs and kisses/ But you should know that they the ones who chose another mission."
Lillard also shared his thoughts about the trade on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"The casuals won’t be addressed but the trailblazers fans and city of Portland that I love truly will be … and they will be addressed truthfully. Stay tuned," he said. "Excited for my next chapter! @Bucks"
Lillard had played his entire career in Portland after they drafted him with the No. 6 pick in 2012. The team went to the playoffs eight years in a row, including the 2019 Western Conference finals, but missed the playoffs the last two seasons.
This summer, the 33-year-old and his agent met with general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups to discuss the team's future after the Blazers picked up point guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft. The team failed to make enough progress toward the vision that Lillard wanted and he requested a trade.
"We have been clear that we want Dame here, but he notified us today he wants out and he'd prefer to play someplace else," Cronin said at the time. "What has not changed for us is that we're committed to winning, and we are going to do what's best for the team in pursuit of that goal."
The Miami Heat were supposedly the frontrunners to pick up the member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, but the Bucks were able to make the strongest deal, which is a three-way trade including the Phoenix Suns.