OG Anunoby pranked Damian Lillard into think he'd been traded to Raptors

Bryan Kalbrosky @BryanKalbrosky
I ranked the best trios in the NBA. Some fun research on the Bucks:
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the league transition scoring (7.73 ppg) while Damian Lillard ranks second-best in half-court scoring (24.63 ppg) since 2016-17.
FULL LIST: bit.ly/3rsuiCx #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/rGly5FZriX – 12:11 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
OG Anunoby really texted Dame “Welcome to Toronto” before he was traded to Milwaukee 😂
(via @ChrisBHaynes)
pic.twitter.com/1kHGu3ddjZ – 10:58 AM

Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
Dame Lillard: “Nunca he posado para una foto como esta”.
Vídeo: @LikySZhao
pic.twitter.com/MTvhIVpyRk – 10:57 AM

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
The prank Raptors forward OG Anunoby pulled on Bucks star Damian Lillard that shocked him days before actual trade: “Welcome to Toronto.” pic.twitter.com/kSJ4WAAIKv – 10:36 AM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
NBA MVP odds: Why history says Damian Lillard makes Giannis Antetokounmpo less likely to win his third trophy
(By @SamQuinnCBS)
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-m… – 10:23 AM

Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
After being traded to the Blazers in the Damian Lillard blockbuster deal with the Bucks, Jrue Holiday was traded again to the Celtics. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/01/rep… – 10:00 AM

Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
Colombia nos honra con el podcast de baloncesto favorito en cualquier idioma en Apple Podcasts.
Es la emisión junto al @CoachCMoralesdel análisis del traspaso de Damian Lillard.
¡Gracias, Colombia! pic.twitter.com/xZnzCNy7bL – 1:46 AM

Sean Highkin @highkin
The post-Damian Lillard Blazers have a new identity and face of the franchise, but it’s not Scoot Henderson or Anfernee Simons—it’s Chauncey Billups.
Plus other notes and thoughts from media day:
rosegardenreport.com/p/trail-blazer… – 12:39 AM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Damian Lillard quickly settling into new home with Milwaukee #Bucks jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via @journalsentinel – 10:17 PM

Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Coming up at 8 its @Bucks Weekly on @620wtmj
We’ll recap media day including comments from Giannis and Dame and take your reactions to the trade(s) that shook up the East
855-616-1620 – 8:27 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
New for ⁦@YahooSports⁩: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s steps to success means acquiring and inundating Damian Lillard, and the pressure is on sports.yahoo.com/giannis-anteto… – 8:05 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Damian Lillard surrounded by impactful size.
Lawrd have mercy! pic.twitter.com/agRuPVJtQR – 7:30 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
“I ain’t never been in no photo like this man.”
Dame getting acclimated in Milwaukee 📸
(via @LilySZhao)
pic.twitter.com/SMeFvWITPh – 6:37 PM

Howard Beck @HowardBeck
The Dame Lillard trade didn’t just tip the balance of power in the title chase — it opened a new front in the power struggle between teams and players.
My debut for The @ringer:
theringer.com/nba/2023/10/2/… – 6:27 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
A week ago at this time the Raptors were reported as the Dame favorites. What a difference a week makes. – 6:15 PM

Josh Martin @Bulls_Wire
Here are three players the San Antonio Spurs should monitor as potential pick-ups after the Damian Lillard trade. bullswire.usatoday.com/lists/san-anto… – 6:00 PM

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
PMers: The Celtics’ move for Jrue Holiday, after the Bucks’ acquisition of Damian Lillard, re-reshuffles the Eastern Conference, w/ramifications for this season & beyond. Our @sam_amick, @johnhollinger, @MikeVorkunov and I discuss, in @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3ROWvxM – 6:00 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo praises Lillard trade, suggests he will re-sign with Bucks next summer
nbcsports.com/nba/news/antet… – 5:59 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Bucks star Damian Lillard explains why ‘excitement kicked in’ after blockbuster trade
(By @jackmaloneycbs)
cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks… – 5:11 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Terance Mann on Twitter fingers: “How many trades do you see on there? How many that never happens? Everybody saying Dame is going to Miami. Did he go to Miami? No. Like, you don’t know what the hell is going on.” pic.twitter.com/npLRjGoa6h – 5:05 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Drew Eubanks emphasized the simplicity of his job on this team in regards to playing alongside the Big 3, noting how if he gets them open with screens and such, those guys will get him open afterward. Learned about playing with a superstar alongside Dame last year. – 4:17 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Drew Eubanks on playing with Damian Lillard last season and how that’ll help him play with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. #Suns pic.twitter.com/wb6vShSdPh – 4:17 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
While Giannis Antetokounmpo will wait to sign an extension, the Damian Lillard trade has reassured him of the Bucks’ commitment to winning.
“I feel like the team has showed they’re committed to winning a championship, so I’m happy.”
At @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/4922565/2023/1… – 4:03 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
“I’m gonna beat Dame, Giannis, and Adrian Griffin on our way to a title.”
– Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/p5XIr5aRb1 – 3:46 PM

John Karalis @John_Karalis
Here’s the question for today: is Milwaukee better off having traded for Lillard and Holiday going to Boston then they were with Holiday and Malcolm Brogdon/Robert Williams in Boston? – 3:13 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are now tied for the best NBA Finals odds on @FDSportsbook following the respective trades for two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday and seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard: pic.twitter.com/kuWMj4tYGd – 3:13 PM

Tom Petrini @RealTomPetrini
(To Dame)
WHERE ARE YAAAAUUWW
pic.twitter.com/dJ1AQuPTow – 3:02 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
“I’m not here to be the new Dame. It’s a new era for a reason. So, I’m here to be Scoot Henderson.” pic.twitter.com/9Y2rfNEjFH – 2:03 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Scoot Henderson: “Just because people think I have to be the new Dame, I don’t even think like that. I’m Scoot Henderson.” – 1:55 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Robin Lopez joked that you often get the question, “Who is the hardest worker you’ve ever played with?”
He said his go-to answers have always been, “Dame (Lillard), Giannis (Antetokounmpo) and Jimmy (Butler).”
Now, Dame and Giannis are together in Milwaukee. – 1:54 PM

Evan Sidery @esidery
O.G. Anunoby will reportedly not agree to a long-term extension with the Raptors and plans to enter free agency next summer, per @TheSteinLine (marcstein.substack.com/p/the-deadline…).
If Toronto gets off to a slow start this season, Anunoby could become one of the top players available at… pic.twitter.com/fNsBobcr0N – 1:45 PM

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Damian Lillard: “I’m extremely thankful for that organization, that city, the fans, for giving me the kind of experience that I had.” pic.twitter.com/325vn9JgV8 – 1:42 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Anfernee Simons on seeing Damian Lillard in a Bucks jersey for the first time:
“It don’t look right at all,” he said with a smilie.
Simons also said he is ready to help fill that void and elevate his game this season. pic.twitter.com/SYIxqS0q18 – 1:25 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Anfernee Simons on seeing Damian Lillard in a Bucks jersey: “It didn’t look right at all. But everybody has to deal with change at some point.” – 1:23 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Giannis: “I need Dame to be Dame. I need me to be me.” – 1:21 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Antetokounmpo, on the pick-and-roll with Lillard: “I gotta understand everything that he does. We gotta watch film together. We have to expedite our chemistry.” – 1:20 PM

Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Giannis on his relationship with Dame: “I feel like we are the same person, just different size… we’re built from the same cloth” – 1:18 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Antetokounmpo, on Lillard: “I feel like we are the same people, just a different size…He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He plays to win. We’re cut from the same cloth.” – 1:18 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Anfernee Simons: “When someone like Dame leaves who’s made a big impact on your life and your career, it’s harder than any other teammate leaving. He was the last one of the group. Now we turn the page. I’m excited about this year and the opportunity I have.” – 1:17 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Antetokounmpo: “Big trade having Dame here. We added another level to our team…They’ve shown they’re committed to winning a championship. I’m happy. – 1:12 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Jerami Grant on Damian Lillard trade: “It’s a part of the business. Gotta keep moving forward regardless.”
“It’s definitely a shock. It’s definitely different. This is my fifth team in 10 years, so I’m accustomed to change. Joe and Jody have been doing a great job. I’m fine.” – 1:08 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Giannis on Dame: “We’re built from the same cloth.” pic.twitter.com/r5sWQ5O1H5 – 1:06 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Antetokounmpo: “Having a guy like Dame on the team, it’s unbelievable…Built from the same cloth. Wants to win, he’s extremely hungry.” – 1:06 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard, on going from Portland to Milwaukee: “It just feels familiar. It doesn’t feel like a crazy environment. I went from one small market to another…I think the fact that this feels similar, that’s they type of environment I’ve known my entire career.” – 1:03 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Dame on defense: “I’m not gonna come in here and be Jrue Holiday. In my opinion, he’s the best perimeter defender.” – 1:01 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard: “If you take a look at my progression defensively, I’ve gotten better year-over-year-over-year…Also, playing on a defensive-minded team this year, it will make it more simple. I’m a competitor. At the very least, I’m going to compete.” – 1:01 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard mentioned how the coach for the first nine years of his career, Terry Stotts, is on the Bucks’ staff.
“We joked about some of the sets that are going to be put in.” – Lillard – 12:59 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard: “I think (the trade) came at the perfect time (of my career).”
Said that Giannis and him have talked a few times.
“The focal point of that conversation was yes it looks good…but the work has to get done. I think that’s one thing where we’re extremely like minded.” – 12:58 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Dame on Milwaukee: “Seeing the sun out and being by the water, it made me smile a bit…man, it could be alright. Every time I was here (before) it was snowing, depressing.” – 12:56 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard mentioned normally when he’s in Milwaukee, it’s normally cold and snowy.
“Seeing the sun out and being by the water and stuff like that, it made me smile a little bit. This might be all right.” – Lillard, with a smile – 12:55 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard: “Coming into this situation is very, very easy. You look at Giannis, you look at Khris, you look at Brook..it was very easy to make sense of what my job was going to be.” – 12:53 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
“I don’t know how you handle that.” – Damian Lillard on a pick-and-roll with Giannis Antetokounmpo. – 12:51 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Dame on Giannis: “I’m the best version of myself as a player. So I think we’ll complement each other really well. I think he’s the kind of guy that he’s not going into it worried about being the man or anything like that either. so I think it’ll work out perfectly.” – 12:50 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard: “Giannis, the kind of attention that he’s going to get is only going to make the game easier for me.” – 12:48 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard, on the possibility of moving to the Bucks: “It was something that came up two weeks ago. And I was interested in that.” – 12:47 PM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Nets GM Sean Marks on@YESNetwork on if he had trade talks with Portland about Dame Lillard
“No, there’s no substance there.”
Adds, “We’re always going to look under every stone.” – 12:47 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard said it was hard to comprehend getting traded at first.
“Am I really getting traded?”
“And then I started to think about the team. Who did I get traded for? And I looked it up and then I saw what type of team I was coming to and that’s when the excitement kicked in.” – 12:46 PM

BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Damian Lillard looking nice in Bucks jersey 🔥
pic.twitter.com/0ukIemeVh0 – 12:46 PM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Nets GM Sean Marks on if he had trade talks with Portland about Dame Lillard on @YESNetwork
“No, there’s no substance there.”
Adds, “We’re always going to look under every stone.” – 12:46 PM

Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Damian Lillard arrives in Milwaukee for media day pic.twitter.com/DULw7AbC6v – 12:43 PM

Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
The Dame Lillard era in Milwaukee has begun. #FeartheDeer #Bucks #NBA pic.twitter.com/DWdbpfqCI3 – 12:43 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Dame: “I’m extremely thankful to that organization, city for giving me the kind of experience that I had.” – 12:43 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Bucks introduce Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/rnpkzsBAtj – 12:43 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Lillard: “I don’t think it’s a secret how much I want to win. That’s how we got here today…And they want to win just as bad as I do.” – 12:42 PM

Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Damian Lillard is at @Bucks media day pic.twitter.com/2aHpfh4f13 – 12:42 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Dame and the people who brought him to Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/Bb1ACa2wOc – 12:41 PM

The Ringer @ringernba
The Damian Lillard trade might signal a new, subtle shift in NBA power dynamics.
@HowardBeck: theringer.com/nba/2023/10/2/… – 12:36 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Horst, on whether or not he thinks the Lillard trade reassures Antetokounmpo they are committed to winning: “I can’t speak to how it makes him feel….But that’s not the reason we do these things, we do it because it’s what’s best for us.” – 12:35 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Chauncey Billups: “Dame’s in a position where he’s on the best team he’s ever been on. I’m really excited for him.” – 12:33 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Chauncey Billups: “I want to thank Jody for her constant support. She’s been incredible. This has obviously been a really tough summer for all of us. Her support has been incredible. Her support for myself, for Joe, for Dame, just her caring about where our players were going.” – 12:31 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Horst, on the Holiday-Lillard trade: “You can’t get something without giving up something…It’s a great opportunity for this organization and we’re really excited about it.” – 12:24 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Bucks GM Jon Horst: “I think it’s a third or fourth time in 25 plus years where our team has been able to acquire a top level player (Lillard) while already having one (Giannis).” – 12:24 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Joe Cronin said he did tell Damian Lillard in early September that returning wasn’t an option and that it was best for all involved that he be traded. pic.twitter.com/rMfndjsM6n – 12:19 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Joe Cronin on report Damian Lillard wanted to return if not traded to the Heat: “I told him I personally thought it was a bad idea. The trade request had not been rescinded.” – 12:17 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Joe Cronin began his media session by thanking Damian Lillard for 11 incredible seasons and wishing him well. Called him a legend. pic.twitter.com/LZbIsWodME – 12:14 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Joe Cronin: “I want to open up thanking Damian Lillard for 11 incredible seasons with us. Obviously a Blazers legend. We’re excited to see what he has in store next and we’re rooting for him.” – 12:13 PM

Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
With writers strike over but actors strike ongoing, ABC – needing programming – says it will air NBA games every Wednesday night in January: Chicago-NY; New Orleans-Golden State; Dallas-Lakers; OKC-San Antonio; Phoenix-Brooklyn. And ESPN added Lillard’s Bucks at Portland Jan. 31 – 12:12 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Wes Edens: “I’m so excited…I’ve seen a lot of Damian Lillard. He’s obviously an extraordinary basketball player and an extraordinary fit for the team that we have.” – 12:09 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
As expected, Dame return to Portland is national TV now pic.twitter.com/xsEegEGb7c – 12:05 PM

Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
OG Anunoby re: a contract extension and his future etc:
“I love Toronto. I wanna be here.” pic.twitter.com/Rk8qKYNmZO – 11:42 AM

Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
What was the highlight of O.G. Anunoby’s summer?
“I don’t know what the highlight was. There was no highlight. Every day was a highlight. But no specific highlights.” – 11:40 AM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“I love Toronto. I want to be here. I’ll let my agency handle that.” — O.G. Anunoby on potential contract extensions. – 11:39 AM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“I love basketball and I love London,” — O.G. Anunoby on his decision to become a shareholder with the London Lions in the off-season. – 11:37 AM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“The time for those talks is now. We’ll see how these conversations go” — Ujiri on possible contract extensions for Gary Trent Jr. and O.G. Anunoby. – 10:00 AM

Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Raptors training camp roster:
Guaranteed (15 of 15): Siakam, Poeltl, Anunoby, Trent, Schroder, Boucher, Barnes, Young, Porter, Dick, McDaniels, Achiuwa, Flynn, Temple, Koloko (INJ)
2-way (3 of 3): Harper, Nowell, Freeman-Liberty
Non-guaranteed: Dowtin
Ex. 10: Gueye, Maker – 9:13 AM