Nets Rumors: Could a Damian Lillard-Kyrie Irving trade become reality?
By Mike Luciano
The Brooklyn Nets are keeping an ear to the ground to potentially pounce on any Kyrie Irving trade rumors that may spring up. While getting rid of a player with his degree of baggage and salary could prove to be difficult, the Portland Trail Blazers may bail them out thanks to the latest Damian Lillard buzz.
Rumors of discontent started back up amid reports that Lillard and head coach Chauncey Billups are not on the same page. With Neil Olshey out as the GM, the Blazers are in such turmoil that a Lillard trade could come before the end of the season if they keep losing.
The Blazers star is also rumored to be eyeing a very pricey contract that will make him one of the most expensive players in the league in his mid-30s. While very few teams would be willing to meet such an exorbitant asking price, a Nets team willing to pay top dollar for the best odds of winning a championship could be convinced to make this trade a reality.
Irving and Lillard are game-changing guards on the offensive side of the ball, and Lillard would help replace the lost production alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden. Could the Nets actually pull off one of the most unlikely, improbable deals in recent memory?
The most complicating factor in Portland’s GM search: Damian Lillard’s desire to be extended and become the NBA’s highest-paid player in his mid-30’s.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 7, 2021
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Will the Brooklyn Nets trade Kyrie Irving for Damian Lillard?
Even though Lillard is having his worst season in years, the fact that he is still averaging 21.2 points and 7.8 assists per game despite the chaos around him speaks to his quality. And with contract extensions for Irving and Harden unclear at the moment, this could be a re-tool type of move that addresses a need and settles their situation for years to come.
Irving and Lillard are nearly identical players when it comes to the positive traits they share. Harden clearly looked comfortable playing alongside Irving last year, and getting Lillard could help the Nets run that same scheme with minimal changes. It got them to the second round before injuries took a toll.
Portland may be the one that will turn this hypothetical deal down, though. While these are two elite scorers, Lillard’s frustrations with this team and their collective struggles stem from a lackluster defense. Irving won’t do much to rectify that issue. His vaccine hesitancy, among other off-the-court issues, might make the Blazers hesitant.
#Nets' Kyrie Irving might be swayed to take plant-based COVID vaccine in works https://t.co/o7CVEerFmE via @nypostsports teammate @MarkWSanchez
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) December 7, 2021
While trades for both of these star players feels unlikely, their situations are nearing the point of no return. Swapping a star for a star (plus something else going back to Portland), could be the bailout the Nets and Blazers need because of how difficult it’s going to be to acquire the appropriate assets for players of their caliber.
