Nba transactions plus#

Because at that point, it's like, 'Are you gonna go young, or are we gonna get something done?'Īnunoby is among the most fearsome, versatile defenders in the game. And then, not only will I have a decision to make, but I think the organization will, too. I'm just saying if those things can't be done-if we can't do something significant like that-then we won't have a chance to compete on that level.

I ain't gonna say I'm putting them on the clock. The Blazers have an alternative to the teardown we just suggested in the Dame-to-Nets section: They can take a major swing to improve the roster in the short term, hopefully giving Lillard no reason to offer the ultimatum he at least hinted could be coming when he told ESPN's Stephen A. Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa for Anfernee Simons and either a 2023 first-round pick or a 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected) The Trade: Portland Trail Blazers acquire O.G. But Dame might enjoy a change of scenery in a big market with emerging star Mikal Bridges, a player for whom he's expressed public admiration. It's never been wise to expect a Lillard move, and we've got more than a decade of evidence saying he prefers life in Portland. 1 selection may be at a point where teams would want assets attached to take on his salary. The Nets should consider offering another pick or Dorian Finney-Smith instead of Claxton, whose defensive mobility and shot-blocking make him an ideal Lillard complement-the kind of difference-making center he's never really had in Portland.īen Simmons is another candidate to move (more on that later), but if the Nets used him as the main matching salary, their pick outlay would get prohibitively larger.

Nba transactions plus#

If the Blazers finally rebuild, they could do a lot worse than getting one of the league's best young bigs in Claxton, plus a pick haul that allows them to bet against the distant futures of three teams-Phoenix, Dallas and Philadelphia-with aging, potentially disgruntled and/or injury-hit stars.ĭinwiddie and O'Neale are starters on expiring deals the Blazers could flip for more draft equity, a key for a franchise that hasn't attracted free agents and must build through the lottery and trades. 'If Lillard and Portland decide a parting of ways is best for both sides, multiple NBA executives believe the Nets could be a suitor for the All-Star guard,' per Michael Scotto of Hoopshype. Reports indicate the Nets at least have their antennae up on Dame. That makes Damian Lillard, so far a one-franchise player whose loyalty borders on superhuman, an intriguing change of pace.

The Brooklyn Nets' experience with Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant shouldn't put them off chasing stars entirely, but it should have taught them to prioritize reliability in their pursuits. The Trade: Brooklyn Nets acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers for Nic Claxton, Royce O'Neale, Spencer Dinwiddie, 2025 first-round pick (via Phoenix Suns), 2027 first-round pick (via Philadelphia 76ers), 2028 first-round pick (via Phoenix Suns), 2029 first-round pick (via Dallas Mavericks)