Newsflash: According to The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress , the Trail Blazers are seeking “in the neighborhood” of four first-round picks and “two quality players (https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2023/07/damian-lillards-agent-believes-trail-blazers-and-miami-heat-will-reach-trade-agreement.html).”

On August 2nd, 2005, the world forever changed. Pat Riley organized a five-team, thirteen-player trade, a signature moment in Miami Heat history, which eventually led them to winning their first NBA championship.

This proposal would also be another record setting blockbuster, potentially involving five teams and potentially 20 players. This trade adds a feather to Lillard's hat, adding to his legacy involvement in a new NBA record setting trade.

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. The Heat have assets that match Dame's contract but not the Blazers' lineup. This trade allows the Trailblazers to acquire talent while sending Damian to a contender, hopefully to compete in the NBA Finals.

Why the Heat do this:

Damian is the best clutch shooter in Trailblazers' history. If Miami finds themselves down two points before the end of regulation, give Dame the ball. By sending their tradable assets to other teams, which gets the Trailblazers the talent and size they need, Miami creates a win-win solution for both franchises.

Additionally, T.J. McConnell becomes a valuable reserve point guard who also adds defense.

Why the Nets do this:

Adding Duncan to the Brooklyn roster adds impactful offense that could make the Mikal Bridges-led Brooklyn an Eastern Conference contender. Additionally, adding Lowry potentially adds more offense. Spencer Dinwiddie can play either scoring guard or point guard, so adding Lowry does not create a roster conflict. Alternatively, Lowery becomes a tradable asset at the '24 trade deadline or he could be released at the end of his contract.

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? Or, could they move one of those assets and add another big man prospect (https://soaringdownsouth.com/2023/06/07/atlanta-hawks-risky-okongwu-contract-capela/)?

My proposal sends Okongwu to Portland while the Hawks receive Isiah Jackson, another youthful center that make $5.4M less per year.

Why the Pacers do this: The Pacers could move into contention, but they need to improve at the #3 or #4 position. Adding Tyler Herro to their roster potentially fills the gap at #3. All they need to do is give up some of their youthful depth to compete next year (https://fansided.com/2023/05/23/pacers-2023-offseason-primer-targets-free-agents-trades-draft-needs/).