NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Non-Heat blockbuster deals to end Damian Lillard saga

Damian Lillard to Brooklyn Nets

When it was first reported that Damian Lillard had demanded a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, there were many that thought the Brooklyn Nets were going to be his eventual landing spot. He’s good friends with Mikal Bridges and the Nets have the necessary assets to get a deal done for Lillard. However, it was then reported that Lillard wanted to be traded to the Miami Heat and then the Lillard to Brooklyn narrative or possibility quickly faded.

However, if there is a non-Heat team that comes with a strong offer, you can make the argument that it should be the Nets. Especially considering Lillard’s relationship with Bridges. The Nets may not be the spot where Lillard wants to be traded to right now, but would he completely tank that reality if it arose? I have a hard time believing he would.

In this deal, the Nets would go all-in by trading Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, their two rookie selections in the 2023 NBA Draft, and four future first-round picks (two via Phoenix, one via Philadelphia, and one of theirs).

That should be a package that would get a Lillard deal done. The question is, do the Nets feel a Bridges, Lillard, Cam Johnson trio is enough to win a championship? They’d have to be sure of it to offer up this level of package.