One NBA writer has come up with the Brooklyn Nets’ potential trade package for Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard.
Jake Weinbach believes the Nets could offer point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, shooting guard Joe Harris, rookies Noah Clowney and/or Dariq Whitehead and four draft picks to the Blazers for Lillard.
Lillard is open to getting traded to the Nets since he has a close relationship with small forward Mikal Bridges. The seven-time All-Star hasn’t requested a trade from the Blazers, but some people around the NBA believe Lillard wasn’t happy Portland didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 draft for a star.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Lillard is expected to meet with Blazers officials after he returns from Paris. The meeting to discuss the next steps of the roster-building process will likely be early this week. Per Amick, nothing has changed about Lillard’s strong desire to play with high-level veteran players.
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this past season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. However, the Blazers won only 33 games.
The Nets, who lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in four quick games, could make some serious noise in the East next season with Lillard and Bridges leading the way. Lillard is one of the best players in the NBA, while Bridges is an up-and-coming star.
It’s going to be fascinating to see where Lillard is playing next season. Unless the Blazers can acquire a star or two once free agency starts on June 30, Dame could finally request a trade from Portland. After all, the Blazers drafted his potential replacement — Scoot Henderson — with the third pick in this year’s draft.
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