New York Post reporter Brian Lewis reports that the Nets are very interested in poaching Lillard from the Blazers.
In order to win the championship, the Nets once formed the super trio of Durant + Irving + Harden. The Nets are a few meters away from winning the championship, and if it weren't for Harden's injury, if Irving hadn't been padded by Alphabet Brother, and if Durant's foot hadn't stepped on the three-point line when he shot a three-pointer, maybe they would have won the championship. Unfortunately, there is no if, with all the Big Three leaving, the Nets were swept 4-0 by the 76ers in the first round of the season and were eclipsed.
But the Nets didn't give up on the championship, and the Nets didn't plan to tear down the rebuild. US media reported that the Grizzlies used 4 first-round offers for Bridges this season, but the Nets rejected them. Bridges is also very competitive, and after joining the Nets, his average has increased from 17+4+4 to 26+5+3. In the playoffs, despite the Nets being swept by the 76ers, Bridges averaged 23.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4 assists per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 40% from three-point range. It also gives the Nets more confidence that they can build a championship-contending team around Bridges.
Brian Lewis, Lillard is the Nets' top target this summer. According to US media reports, the Nets intend to provide a 6-for-1 offer for the Blazers, and the specific plan is for the Nets to send Simmons, Thomas Jr., 4 first-round picks (3 of which are from the Suns) to get Lillard.
Lillard has $216 million left on his contract with the Blazers for four years, $45.64 million in '23-24, $48.79 million in '24-25, $58.55 million in '25-26, and $63.32 million in player options in '26-27. This season, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, shooting 46% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range, and was named to the All-Year Third Team.
The Trailblazers have this year's Flower Spot. Blazers reporters reported that the Blazers were listening to the offer, and the chances of them leaving Lillard and Probe at the same time were slim. It's a big draft year, and the scouts are considered to be able to get an All-Star-level rookie. But Lillard said he wasn't interested in growing up with his rookie. So the Blazers need to make a choice, whether to trade the scouting pick for Lillard for immediate combat power, or trade Lillard to rebuild around the prospect.
But both Blazers and Lillard are well aware that even if the Blazers make the playoffs at most, and luckily play two more rounds, it is impossible to compete for a championship. Lillard leading the Blazers to a championship is impossible.
If the Blazers decide to trade Lillard, will the Nets' 6-for-1 trade plan impress them? Simmons has completely lost his value, but he is only 27 years old after all, and his foundation is thick enough. The Blazers traded Lillard for a rebuild, trading Simmons for a second spring. Thomas Jr. is also a talented young player, and all he lacks is a stage to play freely. A 27-year-old former All-Star, a talented young player, and four first-round picks, the Nets' offer is not very high, but there is some sincerity. Whether the deal can be reached depends on whether the Blazers decide to send Lillard away, and whether other teams have higher offers.
Once the deal is struck, it will be seismic. The two-star combination of Lillard + Bridges, plus Dinwiddie, Cameron Johnson, Seth Curry, Joyce O'Neal, Claxton, Finney Smith, Watanabe Yuta and other fierce players, the Nets will return to the championship ranks. The competition in the east will be more intense.