A bold four-team trade
Miami Heat get: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic
Portland Trail Blazers get: Kyle Lowry, Devonte’ Graham, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, 2024 First-Round Pick (via MIA), 2028 First-Round Pick (via MIA), 2030 First-Round Pick (via MIA), Pick Swaps
San Antonio Spurs get: Ben Simmons, 2028 First-Round Pick (via BK)
Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Doug McDermott
In this final trade idea, the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers recruit both the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets to end the madness and complete the Damian Lillard blockbuster deal. Stay with me, this one is a bit complicated. It starts with Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, and Doug McDermott landing on the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets get a starting two-guard (that can also grow with Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges) and a quality wing (that they could end up trading down the road if they want). The Spurs do the Nets the solid of absorbing Ben Simmons and his contract. Brooklyn sends them a future first-round pick for the trouble.
The Blazers get the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry, Devonte’ Graham, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and three first-round picks and pick swaps (all from Miami). This is under the assumption that the Heat negotiates with OKC to unlock the 2024 first-round pick to make it tradable.
Lillard is likely going to be traded at some point this offseason but there’s no guarantee he’ll be sent to the Heat. If he does get traded to Miami, though, it will likely be a complicated multi-team deal.