Miami has until August 10th to come up with a multi-team deal to acquire Damian Lillard. I created a multi-team proposal that sends Dame to his desired location, but the media continues to report that Pat Riley is struggling to find a third team to take on Tyler Herro. So, If the Heat are unable to put a decent package together, Dame ought to consider his #2 choice, the Brooklyn Nets.

Why the Trailblazers do this:

Dame wants out, but Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe will still make up a small backcourt. The Trailblazers cannot take a gaggle of talent in exchange for Damian Lillard. Unfortunately for Miami, Brooklyn has assets that fit the Blazers' roster.

Additionally, unlike Dame, Henderson is a drive-to-the-basket scorer and he will need a long-term, pick and role partner. By sending one of the draft picks from Brooklyn to Atlanta along with Nassir Little, the Trailblazers would acquire Onyeka Okongwu. Okongwu is considered by some as the second best screen setter in the NBA (https://www.basketballinsiders.com/news/grizzlies-jaren-jackson-jr-calls-steven-adams-the-best-screener-in-nba-history/).

Why the Nets do this:

Damian is the best clutch shooter in Trailblazers' history. Adding Damian Lillard to the Brooklyn Nets roster would produce a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. Bridges and Lillard are good friends; thus, the team chemistry would increase.

Adding Nurkic boosts the Nets' roster depth. Coming off the bench for Nic Claxton, Nurk will continue helping Dame as screen setter. Plus, Nurk is developing an outside game, making the Nets more difficult to defeat come playoff time.

Why Atlanta does this:

“Atlanta is scheduled to be more than $10 million into the luxury tax next season,” wrote Dan Favale of Bleacher Report on June 2." The financial outlook for the Hawks could force the franchise to make some tough decisions. Do they keep Okongwu or Capella? Trae Young wants Capella because he is a reliable lob threat (https://soaringdownsouth.com/2023/06/07/atlanta-hawks-risky-okongwu-contract-capela/). Thus, Okongwu, who is expected to make more than $10M per season upon his next contract signing, will only take the Hawks deeper into the tax. However, by including Okongwu in this trade, the Hawks acquire one of Portland's draft picks from the Brooklyn in the Damian Lillard exchange and Nassir Little, who has a four-year contract at $6.2M per year (https://www.sportstalkatl.com/what-would-an-onyeka-okongwu-contract-extension-look-like/). With Little on the Hawks roster, they save $4.3M per year.