It’s fair to assume that Lillard will want to play for Bridges in Brooklyn. The only problem with wanting Lillard from a Brooklyn perspective is that it’s hard to imagine the Blazers not wanting Bridges back in any potential Lillard trade. Bridges averaged 26.1 points in 27 games with Brooklyn last season and became the face of the franchise.
The only way the Nets should consider the idea of acquiring Lillard is if they can somehow do it without giving Bridges up. Even if that were a possibility, GM Sean Marks’ decision to mortgage the Nets’ future to Durant, Irving, and Harden was such a fiasco that it’s hard to fathom him doing it again.
The first thing the Brooklyn front office must decide is the future of forward Cam Johnson. He’s a restricted free agent this offseason, which means the Nets will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet Johnson signs with another team.
The 27-year-old averaged 16.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26 games with Brooklyn last season and showed his prowess as a true two-way winger.
The Nets will compete for his services. The Pistons are willing to offer Johnson a four-year, $100 million contract. Edwards, Athletic player.
If the Nets keep Johnson, they will replay their entire starting quintet from the end of last season – Dinwiddie, Bridges, Johnson, Vinnie Smith and quarterback Nick Claxton.
The Nets went 12-15 in 27 games after Bridges, Johnson, Dinwiddie and Vinnie Smith joined the team last season. They were swept by Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs. If that team played an entire season together, it would likely have missed the postseason.
Brooklyn already has 13 slots on the roster for 2023-24. If Johnson re-signs, that number rises to 14. That leaves Brooklyn with little flexibility to sign free agents unless they pull off a huge deal that wipes out several roster spots.
Two contributors from last season’s team are unlikely to return. The Nets will be looking to transfer veteran shooting guard Joe Harris and his $19.28 million contract. Veteran three-point shooter Seth Curry is a free agent who will likely be looking to join a strong competitor.
Therefore, the reason for the offseason for the Nets boils down to either acquiring Lillard or keeping their assets for future deals.