It was a shock to the Milwaukee Bucks when Damian Lillard was given a diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis. The blood clots have him ruled out indefintiely. If Lillard is forced to miss time into the playoffs, the Bucks will have a much harder time making a deep run in the playoffs. They are a much better team when they have Lillard out there.

In a blockbuster 2023 offseason gamble, the Milwaukee Bucks traded All-Defensive combo guard Jrue Holiday — with whom they had won their first title in 50 years — for aging superstar point guard Damian Lillard with their sights set on expanding Giannis Antetokounmpo's championship window. Instead, it's starting to look like they acquired a lemon.

The 34-year-old point guard is on blood-thinners. A league source told The Athletic that there is optimism he will return this season.