Despite the never-ending trade buzz around Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers have once again double-downed on those rumors and insist that they will not move the six-time All-Star anytime soon.
“The Trail Blazers have fully focused on continuing to build around [Damian] Lillard,” per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
This clearly shifts the landscape of the NBA despite no moving parts and that is because it impacts teams interested in Lillard.
One of those teams is the Philadelphia 76ers… a team in the Eastern conference that is so close yet so far from making a serious run at the title. On another note though, the 76ers could’ve also provided the Blazers with the most enticing trade offer in a package including Ben Simmons.
Philadelphia has discussed deals involving Simmons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors among others, but it has its “eyes set” on Lillard.
It makes perfect sense for Philly as acquiring Lillard would certainly put them up there in the Eastern Conference with the Brooklyn Nets and reigning champs Milwaukee Bucks.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported in June that Lillard might request a trade after the backlash he received over Portland’s hiring of new head coach Chauncey Billups, plus the team’s inability to build a contender around him. But clearly with the season nearing closer Lillard himself has shut down several reports and says Portland is his home… for now.
As for Simmons, executives around the league believe “it’s only a matter of when—not if—the All-Defensive team stalwart is moved,” per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. In fact, it’s something that has been known for a while and seems inevitable at this point.
