In the NBA, you need assets. If you don’t have a contending team, you want to have the pieces that you need to assemble one.
The Brooklyn Nets had a contending team – recently, in fact. Now, they do not. With that said, they’ve got plenty of assets. The Nets flipped Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving for a treasure trove of first-round picks and interesting players last season. With that said, there are some assets they don’t have – their own picks.
The Nets owe those to the Houston Rockets for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, this team has no incentive to tank. The Nets are a prime candidate to flip those assets for an offensive focal point. How about Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN), 2030 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Damian Lillard
Meanwhile, if you’ve been following the NBA rumors, you know this is a variation on a popular suggestion. The Nets are a strong candidate to get involved in a Lillard trade – but not like this.
Generally, they’re seen as a third party. The Nets would trade Simmons and some draft capital to the Blazers: only, in exchange for Tyler Herro. The Miami Heat would be receiving Lillard. After all, that is apparently where he wants to go.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Brooklyn Nets & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Sure. On the other hand, the NBA doesn’t seem to appreciate Lillard’s singular focus on the Heat. He may be forced to broaden his options. Would the Nets be a good landing spot for him if he can’t find his way to the Heat?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
We think so. Here’s the question: what does Lillard like about Miami? Is it the weather, or the opportunity to contend for an NBA title?
In all likelihood, it’s the latter. Lillard has been wasting away on the Blazers for a couple of seasons now. He wants to land in a competitive situation. Who could blame him? Luckily, the Nets could offer him exactly that: a competitive situation.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Brooklyn Nets & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
After all, Mikal Bridges broke out as a shot-creator after landing on the Nets last season. Imagine him as a second option behind Lillard. Lillard is exactly the offensive focal point the Nets need. They’d be surrounding him with elite defenders and floor spacers. If he’s open to joining them, Lillard could make the Nets contenders. Could the Blazers send him there?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Sure. Realistically, there’s not much difference between the package the Blazers are receiving here and one they’d presumably receive in a three-team deal with the Nets and the Heat. In fact, this deal is likely a bit better.
After all, they’d be receiving some picks from a Miami team that’s hoping to contend for the foreseeable future. Sure, the later picks could be good. At the same time, Bam Adebayo is young. Miami is an organization that seldom tanks. Those are lower-value picks than some of the assets they’re landing here.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Brooklyn Nets & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Sixers are potentially falling apart. There’s no predicting where the Mavericks will be in 2029. If the Blazers are focused on landing the best collection of draft capital that they can for Lillard, they’ll like this deal. After all, they’re going to need the assets.
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