Blazers: Damian Lillard Reacts to Terry Stotts' Sudden Milwaukee Exit After Trade

(Photo : Steve Dykes/Getty Images) PORTLAND, OR - Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks with Damian Lillard (#0) during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Moda Center.

Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks admits he was surprised by Terry Stott's sudden change of heart. However, the seven-time All-Star added that these things come out of nowhere and that he and the rest of the Bucks need to move forward.

"Everybody was kind of surprised by it," Lillard said via the Associated Press. "It kind of came out of nowhere. I've been in this league long enough to know that these types of things happen. Everything continues, so you've got to kind of process things like this and other things that may come up and continue to move forward."

For his part, Lillard admits that Stotts would have made his Bucks' stint easier because of his familiarity with him. The 33-year-old says that while he has settled in, it was unfortunate to see his former mentor go.

"For me, knowing Terry as long as I've known him - playing for him for nine years and him also making this transition for me easier, just having a familiar face be such a huge part of it - was a good thing. I think now that I'm settled in, to see him go is unfortunate. It's sad to see him go. But like I said, everything is still moving forward," Lillard added.

Stotts' U-turn remains a mystery

The 65-year-old was set to return after a two-year absence from the NBA. However, for some reason, Stotts had a change of heart with roughly a week before the 2023-24 season set to open, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Terry Stotts has stepped down as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Stotts returned to coaching after two years away to join Adrian Griffin’s new staff but has decided that he won’t continue in that role.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2023

Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin confirmed the exit of Stotts but did not get into detail, The Athletic reported. However, he did mention that it was solely Stott's decision.