A resolution has yet to come for Ben Simmons and the Sixers, which only speeds up the trade rumor windmill even further.
The Sixers have been in talks with the Trail Blazers recently, but Portland made it clear that Damian Lillard is not available, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Sixers had been hoping that Lillard’s loyalty to Portland would waver, but there’s been no indication that that’ll happen any time soon, if at all.
The Sixers are also said to not be interested in CJ McCollum in any potential package, according to Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.
Bleacher Report came up with a mock trade idea that would send Simmons to the Trail Blazers in a three-team deal that involves the Pacers.
It would have Simmons, Myles Turner and Danny Green going to Portland, Caris LeVert, Norman Powell and Larry Nance Jr. going to Philadelphia and McCollum, Nassir Little, Cody Zeller, a 2024 lottery-protected first-round pick and 2022 second-round pick going to Indiana, both picks via Portland.
The Sixers won’t be getting the top 25 player they were seeking in this deal, but LeVert has shown flashes of being an All-Star with his ability to score and playmake for others. He and Joel Embiid would thrive in the pick-and-roll, and the Sixers will have a guard/forward who is capable of creating and finding their own shot, something they lack.
LeVert is a high IQ basketball player who can command the tempo of the game and draw defenders onto him, which could also free up Embiid inside to do more damage.
Powell is also a catch-and-shoot specialist from downtown and one of the more efficient shooters in the league. He would thrive camping out in the corners while LeVert and Embiid attract attention inside.
Nance is a jack of all trades vet at the forward position who has the shooting, athleticism and playmaking skills that would excel next to Embiid.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers would be getting the star they’re seeking next to Lillard who could run the offense as the point guard, which would allow Lillard to play off the ball in more sets. They’ll also be getting the defensive specialist they desperately need.
Additionally, Myles Turner would solve their interior defense woes, as Turner has established himself as a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Danny Green will bring a nice solid vet that can shoot and defend when his name is called.
For the Pacers, McCollum would be a nice get, but it would be no shocker if they were to flip him if this potential trade were to actually happen.
