Celts and Bucks upgrade, Sixers worry

The Damian Lillard drama had ended with Milwaukee starring in the final episode.  This should make Giannis Antetokounmpo consider staying a bit longer with the team that drafted him.

In getting Lillard, the Bucks included two-way guard Jrue Holiday in the deal which sent him to Portland.  Not even having to wear a Blazer uniform, Boston acquired him in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and some draft picks.

In their accumulation of armaments, this makes Boston and Milwaukee, on paper, favorites for the Eastern Conference title.   They had solidified their frontlines as well as their backcourts.

The Bucks and the Celtics thus rekindle their conference rivalry.   Milwaukee had to get over the sting of 2018 and 2021 playoff losses against Boston and things point to another playoff meeting, with an anticipated Lillard-Holiday matchup.

For the 2023-2024 season, Boston and Milwaukee will face each other four times - on November 22, January 11, March 20 and April 9.

According to reports, Philadelphia was among the teams interested in Lillard but a division rival got him.  They then had their eyes on Holiday, yet, still another division rival signed him.

The development created a subplot with the Sixers where their resident MVP Joel Embiid sounding not too happy with the way the franchise handled their off season, particularly the James Harden theatrics.

Rumor has it that Embiid is exploring the idea of deserting Philly if things don't pan out to his liking, and if he does decide to walk out the Sixers, Miami and New York are just waiting for that opportunity to give him a new home.