Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons would thrive in pick-and-roll sets

Perhaps the biggest benefit of trading for Ben Simmons from the Blazers perspective is who lethal he and Lillard could be in pick-and-roll sets. In Philadelphia, they have not really utilized Simmons in the pick-and-roll seeing as they have Joel Embiid, but with a guard-lead team like Portland, Ben Simmons could revert to more of a “big man” roll setting screens. 

With his athleticism and ability to play above the rim, the Trail Blazers could turn Ben Simmons into an aggressive big man that Damian Lillard could have a lot of fun with on the offensive-end of the court. 

Simmons is not a shooter and cannot shoot, which is fine in their system because of how good Damian Lillard is as a passer. Off of a pick-and-roll set, teams would likely double Lillard and go over the screen set by Simmons, allowing the 7-footer to quickly dive to the rim and be on the receiving end of a pass from Lillard. 

Off of a pick-and-roll, if Damian Lillard lobs the ball up to the rim for Ben Simmons, good luck stopping this because what team has a guy that is as athletic and tall enough to contest this pass thrown to Simmons? 

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Maybe the Nets with Kevin Durant and maybe the Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but overall, just a handful of players in the league would be able to break up this pass intended for Simmons.

Pick-and-roll sets with Lillard and Simmons would be virtually impossible to stop and even if a team devotes their defensive-energy to stopping both Lillard and Simmons in this set, someone would be wide open in the corner for a three-point attempt. 

Ben Simmons has been deemed a non-factor on offense, but maybe the 76ers have just been using him the wrong way. With a true guard like Damian Lillard, the Blazers could potentially get the most out of Simmons and utilize him for his size and athleticism on offense rather than just his defensive abilities.