Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, G Cam Thomas, 2023 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2028 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Damian Lillard
The Portland Trail Blazers are at a crossroads, too.
For a long time, this team has relied on Damian Lillard. He is as synonymous with their franchise as any player is with any other in the NBA right now. This is Lillard’s team.
Lillard’s team is about to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Something has to change in Portland – it’s only a matter of what.
The Blazers don’t have to take this route. They could probably package Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and draft capital for a co-star for Lillard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Realistically, that’s the path this franchise would historically prefer.
Why should they break from that history?