Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard apparently wants to play with one of the best 3-and-D players in the NBA.
One NBA scout recently told NBA Analysis Network that Lillard “would like to play with” Mikal Bridges, who is currently a member of the Brooklyn Nets.
“There are many directions the Blazers can go this summer,” the scout said. “A lot will depend on what Dame wants to do. That’s hard to tell right now since it’s so early. If you bank on every little rumbling, you’ll have a lot of conflicting info by the time the Combine even starts. One player I know he really would like to play with is Mikal Bridges. That doesn’t mean he has to do it in Brooklyn, though. That’s a trade target I’d keep an eye on if Portland tries to add a piece around Dame.”
NBA Rumors & News: Damian Lillard & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Nets acquired Bridges from the Phoenix Suns in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade. The 26-year-old took his game to another level with Brooklyn, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27 games while shooting 47.5% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line.
Bridges signed a four-year, $90.9 million rookie scale extension with the Suns in October 2021. The swingman will make $21.7 million next season, $23.3 million in 2024-25 and $24.9 million in 2025-26.
NBA Rumors & News: Damian Lillard & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Blazers have the third overall pick in the 2023 draft. Portland general manager Joe Cronin told Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports that he wants to maximize Lillard’s timeline and win with the seven-time All-Star.
“We’re a team that’s trying to win and trying to maximize Damian’s timeline. This was an important night for us,” Cronin told Yahoo Sports. “Front offices around the league think highly of this draft, so you would think that a lot of teams that were sitting (on stage) tonight will be getting a lot of calls from teams trying to move up and maneuver.”
The Blazers won only 33 games this season. They have missed the playoffs two years in a row after making the postseason eight consecutive years.
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