One NBA writer is proposing that the Brooklyn Nets trade for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and center Jusuf Nurkic in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Nets and Blazers:
Trade idea: Brooklyn Nets Trade Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dariq Whitehead, Noah Clowney, 2027 first-round pick (top-eight protected, via PHI) and 2029 first-round pick to Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic
“The Nets need more than long-shot dreams to support Mikal Bridges,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “That’s why unloading their asset collection for Lillard—and Nurkic, a salary-filler but serviceable rotation option—might be the move to make.
“Lillard is already a fan of Bridges, so he might get on board with the idea of relocating to Brooklyn, even if it isn’t his top destination. Let Lillard, a super-powered scorer with some of the biggest clutch buckets in recent memory, take control of this offense, and this roster suddenly makes a lot more sense. Bridges would be a dynamic second option, and the Nets have several candidates to fill the third-scorer role.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Lillard and Bridges are close friends off the court and a source told NBA Analysis Network that Lillard tried to get the Blazers to trade for Bridges before requesting his trade. Lillard wants the Blazers to trade him to the Miami Heat.
However, Portland doesn’t have to honor the trade request since Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. If the Nets and Blazers make a Lillard trade, Brooklyn would have a lethal dynamic duo of Lillard and Bridges, two of the best players in the NBA.
The Nets got swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Meanwhile, the Blazers didn’t qualify for the 2023 postseason. Lillard only wants to get traded to the Heat, but some people around the NBA believe the seven-time All-Star would eventually warm up to the idea of playing for the Nets if he got traded to Brooklyn since Bridges is there.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Blazers are taking their time with Lillard’s trade request. The franchise is looking to acquire a substantial haul for Lillard, who averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
