How Damian Lillard could factor in to plans for Brooklyn Nets
After trading Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden over the past 10 months, the Brooklyn Nets are searching for a new identity.
Brooklyn's haul for dismantling their big three included guards Spencer Dinwiddie, Ben Simmons and Seth Curry, forwards Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jae Crowder (later traded to Milwaukee for five second-round picks), center Andre Drummond, seven first-round picks, two second-round picks and a 2028 first-round pick swap.
Now, Brooklyn has a decision to make: turn these assets into a superstar or continue to get younger and build for the future.
There are few superstars available on the market, but Portland's Damian Lillard could be one. According to the NY Post's Brian Lewis, the Nets have a "genuine interest" in acquiring Lillard — the third-leading scorer in the NBA last season — if he becomes available. Bridges, the Nets newest star, clearly has an affinity for Lillard. The two of them even went on Instagram Live together back in late May.
It's fair to assume Lillard would want to play with Bridges in Brooklyn. The only problem with Lillard's wish from Brooklyn's perspective is it's hard to imagine the Blazers not wanting Bridges back in any potential Lillard trade. Bridges averaged 26.1 points in 27 games with Brooklyn last season and became the face of the franchise.
The only way the Nets should entertain the idea of acquiring Lillard is if they can somehow do it without giving up Bridges. Even if that's a possibility, GM Sean Marks' decision to mortgage the Nets future for Durant, Irving and Harden was such a catastrophic failure that it's hard to fathom him doing it again.
The first thing Brooklyn's front office must decide upon is the future of forward Cam Johnson. He's a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Nets will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet Johnson signs with another team.
The 27-year-old averaged 16.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26 games with Brooklyn last season and demonstrated his prowess as a true two-way wing.
The Nets will have competition for his services. The Pistons are prepared to offer Johnson a four-year, $100 million contract, per the Athletic's James L. Edwards.
If the Nets retain Johnson, they will bring back their entire starting five from the end of last season -- Dinwiddie, Bridges, Johnson, Finney-Smith and center Nic Claxton.
The Nets went 12-15 in the 27 games after Bridges, Johnson, Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith joined the team last season. They were swept by Philadelphia in round one of the playoffs. If that team had played an entire season together, it would probably would have missed the postseason.
Brooklyn already has 13 roster spots filled for 2023-24. If Johnson re-signs, that number grows to 14. That leaves Brooklyn with little flexibility to sign free agents unless it pulls off a blockbuster trade that clears multiple roster spots.
Two contributors from last season's team are unlikely to return. The Nets will look to move veteran shooting guard Joe Harris and his $19.28 million contract. Veteran Seth Curry, a lights-out three-point shooter, is a free agent who will likely look to join a bonafide contender.
So, essentially the offseason for the Nets boils down to either acquiring Lillard or keeping their assets for future deals.
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