Mock trade has Nets trading Ben Simmons, others for Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic
Even though the offseason is still young for the Brooklyn Nets, it doesn’t hurt to think about trades that Brooklyn could pull off to change the team. In a recent mock trade by Bleacher Report, the Nets get the superstar were looking for along with a big man that could give them the size that the organization longs for.
Despite Brooklyn finishing this season as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Nets were still swept in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers despite having the golden opportunity to steal a win or two. It was clear that Brooklyn has a ways to go before they can consider themselves on par with the contenders in the East like Philadelphia.
Part of the hype surrounding the Nets is the possibility of acquiring superstar guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers thanks to a few factors like Lillard possibly wanting out of a potentially-rebuilding Portland, showing up to Game 3 of Brooklyn’s series against the 76ers, and showing love to the Nets’ best player, Mikal Bridges. Here is a breakdown of the mock trade done by B/R:
The mock trade
Brooklyn Nets receive: Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Spencer Dinwiddie, Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, 2023 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick (via Suns) and 2027 first-round pick (via Suns)
Should the Nets do this trade?
While getting Damian Lillard is the point of the deal, it’s important to acknowledge that getting Jusuf Nurkic in the trade can complicate things. For starters, since Day’Ron Sharpe would be included in the deal instead of starting center Nic Claxton, that creates a dilemma of who starts between Nurkic and Claxton. With Nurkic owed a little over $54 million over the next three seasons, it doesn’t smart to pay that kind of money for a player that would be a backup.
Verdict: No, the Nets should not do this trade.
What B/R thinks of the trade
“There aren’t many players who could make the Nets contenders overnight, but Damian Lillard is on that short list. Get him to Brooklyn, where he’d have the help he lacks with Portland, and he could be the offensive focal point the franchise needs to quickly scale the ladder.
With Lillard, who just pumped in a career-best 32.2 points per game, steering the ship, Mikal Bridges could fall back into a better-fitting co-star role. As the rest of the roster trickles down behind them, they could have a two-headed monster on offense and a highly disruptive defense with considerable length and depth.”
