The Damian Lillard trade saga has finally come to an end, and he is headed to Milwaukee.
The Bucks landed the All-Star guard in a shocking three-team blockbuster trade with the Suns just days before training camp opens for the 2023-24 season.
The Trail Blazers received Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, the 2029 first-round pick and pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 from the Bucks. The Suns received Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Grayson Allen and Keon Johnson in the deal.
Lillard will join forces with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as Milwaukee aims to get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning the title back in 2021.
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
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) September 27, 2023
Excited for my next chapter! @Bucks 🎟️
When will we get to see Lillard suit up for the Bucks? The Sporting News has you covered with some key dates for training camp, preseason and the regular season below.
When will Damian Lillard debut with Bucks?
Bucks training camp
The Bucks will open the new season with training camp on Tuesday, Oct. 3. This will be the first opportunity to see Lillard in Milwaukee threads and hear the All-Star talk about the trade and pairing with Antetokounmpo.
Bucks preseason schedule
The Bucks will open the preseason with a matchup against the Bulls at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Sunday, Oct. 8. While it is to be determined if Lillard will play in the preseason opener, you can expect him to suit up at some point over their five-game exhibition schedule before the regular season.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Sunday, Oct. 8 | vs. Bulls | 1 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Oct. 10 | at Grizzlies | 8 p.m. |
| Sunday, Oct. 15 | at Lakers | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Oct. 17 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 20 | vs. Grizzlies | 8 p.m. |
Bucks regular season schedule
Lillard will have to wait two days from the first night of the 2023-24 season before making his Bucks debut. Milwaukee is slated to take on the 76ers at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
The Bucks' next national TV game after Lillard's debut will be an In-Season Tournament game against the Knicks. That game will also be in Milwaukee on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
You can find the Bucks' first 10 games below.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Tuesday, Oct. 26 | vs. 76ers | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | vs. Hawks | 7 p.m. | — |
| Monday, Oct. 30 | vs. Heat | 8 p.m. | — |
| Wednesday, Nov. 1 | at Raptors | 7 p.m. | — |
| Friday, Nov. 3 | vs. Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Monday, Nov. 6 | at Nets | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Wednesday, Nov. 8 | vs. Pistons | 8 p.m. | — |
| Thursday, Nov. 9 | at Pacers | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Saturday, Nov. 11 | at Magic | 6 p.m. | — |
| Monday, Nov. 13 | vs. Bulls | 8 p.m. | — |
