One NBA writer is proposing that the Brooklyn Nets trade for Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and center Jusuf Nurkic in a huge blockbuster deal. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Nets and Blazers:
Brooklyn Nets receive: Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead, Day’Ron Sharpe, 2025 first-round pick (via PHO), 2027 first-round pick (via PHO) and 2029 first-round pick (via DAL)
Lillard and Nets forward Mikal 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
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. Most people around the NBA believe Nurkic will be traded with Lillard.
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