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The NBA Finals are almost over and the draft and free agency are just around the corner. The offseason is already underway for most teams, and for the Philadelphia 76ers that means plenty of business talk and questions about what the future holds for Ben Simmons. In terms of the Sixers’ target, one player stands out firmly from the rest: Damian Lillard.
It’s no surprise to receive another update indicating that the Sixers are interested in Lillard (which wouldn’t be), but it’s interesting to learn from The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor that Philly was recently. one of the “most aggressive contenders” along with a handful of other teams:
Few team leaders expect a deal with Dame to happen this offseason. But several front office sources claim that the Heat, Kings, Knicks, Rockets and Sixers have recently been the most aggressive contenders.
Front office executives say if the Blazers do end up moving Lillard, they can expect a comeback to rival or surpass what the Nets gave up for James Harden: several young players, plus three first-round picks and four trades. first round pick.
The Blazers’ big advantage with Lillard’s value is that he still has four years left on his contract, compared to just two guaranteed years for James Harden when he was transferred to Brooklyn. As you can imagine, it will take a long time to acquire Dame. But if the Sixers build a set around Ben Simmons and a combination of first-round players and valuable young players like Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle, they should have a real shot. The Sixers would also be able to face one of the league’s best duos in Lillard and Joel Embiid, adding yet another reason Lillard is interested in joining Philly.
Lillard obviously doesn’t seem very happy in Portland even though he hasn’t applied for a trade – at least not yet. It remains to be seen whether such a request will come this offseason or a little beyond, but it’s hard to see the Blazers making any notable moves to reassure Lillard about the quality of the roster. They have minimum cap flexibility (they broke the cap with only the $ 9.5 million non-taxpayer mid-tier exception to offer in free agency), they don’t even have their first-round pick this year, and they have a limited trade assets besides someone like CJ McCollum.
A McCollum-Simmons trade could be a possibility, but the Blazers are more likely to be interested. McCollum just doesn’t give the Sixers enough play or ability to attack the rim, which they ideally need if they’re trading Simmons. Unsurprisingly, as O’Connor noted in his article, the Sixers are hoping to come forward for Lillard rather than settle for McCollum.
Ultimately, it doesn’t look like a Dame swap will happen just yet. As O’Connor pointed out, few league executives expect a deal to happen this offseason. Plus, for what it’s worth, Lillard told the media during Team USA training last week that he plans to return to Portland next season (although he has clearly been pushing the front office for that he is making improvements and has not made any firm commitments).
But if (when) a trade does take place, you can expect the Sixers to be heavily involved. Lillard is the dream target for them right now as a leading offensive talent and sniper with almost unmatched range. He would give them just what they need to help lead the offensive alongside Embiid. The Sixers should do everything they can to make a trade happen.
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