Seven-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard was open to getting traded by the Portland Trail Blazers to the Brooklyn Nets because of Mikal Bridges and Ben Simmons, according to Nate Jones, an agent and marketer at Goodwin Sports, which represents Lillard. Bridges and Lillard are close friends and Lillard believes Simmons will bounce back in 2023-24.
Bridges took his game to another level after getting traded by the Phoenix Suns to the Nets last season, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 27 games. Many people around the NBA believe Bridges has a chance to make his first All-Star team in 2023-24.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Mikal Bridges, Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Simmons only appeared in 42 games last season due to knee and back issues. He averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster James Harden trade during the 2021-22 season. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a holdout and back injury. He was projected to be one of the faces of the NBA just a few years ago after winning the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award and making three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams with the Sixers.
However, Simmons never developed a jump shot and he’s now considered one of the most overrated players in the NBA. In 317 games with the Sixers and Nets, Simmons has made only five 3-pointers.
The first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has career averages of 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. It will be fascinating to see how he plays next season for the Nets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Mikal Bridges, Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Blazers traded Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal with the Suns. Milwaukee now has a lethal Big 3 of Lillard, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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