NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting realistic Damian Lillard trades to Heat, Nets

Damian Lillard to the Brooklyn Nets

A potential Damian Lillard trade to the Brooklyn Nets is likely less complicated than one to the Miami Heat. That’s because when it comes to draft pick compensation, the Nets have a bit more to work with compared to Miami. And that’s one thing that could put them in the driver’s seat in any potential bidding war for Lillard.

This deal would likely have to start with Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris, two expiring contracts. In order to make the money work for the Nets, the Blazers would have to be willing to absorb those players for one season (or flip them to another team). After that, the Nets have a flurry of first-round picks that they could send to Portland. In this deal, the Nets would send four of them to Portland in exchange for Lillard.

However, one thing to keep in mind, many of the tradable future first-round picks that the Blazers have don’t belong to them.

If the Blazers agree to such a deal, that would leave the Nets with a core five of Lillard, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson (assuming they can re-sign him in restricted free agency), Ben Simmons, and Nic Claxton.

I’m not sure if that would be a contender in the Eastern Conference but it would be one of the more intriguing teams heading into next season.