The Blazers are functionally in the same place as before the trade — hoping lottery luck can save them from mediocrity

Unsurprisingly, the Milwaukee Bucks will not be dealing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. ESPN's Bobby Marks

Damian Lillard makes a return trip to Portland as the Milwaukee Bucks look to win two in a row tonight vs. the Trail Blazers.

Milwaukee Bucks' star Damian Lillard is listed as day-to-day with a quadricep issue ahead of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers. His participation remains uncertain, affecting the Bucks' offensive power.

Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard tries to get past Portland Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) AP AP

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each scored 35 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 125-110 victory over the Utah Jazz.

With the trade deadline approaching, Jon Horst should be pumping some iron and getting ready to do some heavy lifting. I've been stretching the trade muscle too. Here are three bold trades the Bucks should consider to pump some blood flowing back into this team’s atrophying title aspirations.

Damian Lillard's second trip back to Portland is nowhere near as big a deal as his first. After Lillard made a much-anticipated return last season, the buzz is much lighter this time as he and the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Lillard racked up 35 points (14-22 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, eight assists and one block over 41 minutes during Monday's 125-110 victory over Utah. Lillard was coming off a 29-point, 10-rebound,

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and guard Damian Lillard are seen during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 14, 2024. “Our chemistry has gotten better,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think, with time, we’re just going to keep on getting better.”

Damian Lillard claims that a rebound should be given to him because it was in his hands. Brook Lopez was awarded credit for it.

Don't miss out on these top DFS options for the Tuesday, January 28, 2025, NBA slate, led by Warriors guard Steph Curry.