Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Ben Simmons, F Matisse Thybulle, G Tyrese Maxey, two future first-round picks (likely 2022 and 2024)
This would surely be the key storyline of the 2021 NBA offseason, regardless of what else happens in the NBA Draft and free agency. Damian Lillard’s future in Portland seems to be shaky right now, even though Lillard has denied saying anything to the nature of wanting out of Portland.
After losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first-round of the playoffs, The Trail Blazers decided to part ways with Terry Stotts, who was hired by Portland ahead of the 2012-13 season. Stotts has been the only head coach Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have ever played for at the NBA-level, which is why it was believed that these two would be huge factors in who the Blazers hire as their next head coach.
Originally, Dame verbally supported Jason Kidd as a coach he would like to learn from and play under, but Kidd quickly took his name out of consideration after this acknowledgement. Then Spurs assistant Becky Hammon was considered a front-runner for Portland’s head coaching vacancy, but then they did a complete-180 and hired Chauncey Billups to be their next head coach.
Billups was a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA performer and was the 2004 Finals MVP when his Detroit Pistons took down the Los Angeles Lakers. This seems like a good hire for the Trail Blazers at first and could definitely work out, but Chauncey Billups’ past sexual assault allegations have not sit well with many.
READ MORE: Predictions for NBA Trade Rumors: Beal, Lillard, McCollum, Porzingis & Siakam
With all of the turmoil and public backlash facing the Trail Blazers right now, as well as their roster not being close to being a true championship contending roster, Damian Lillard could really look to “jump ship” now before things get worse. Lillard wants to win and if he believes that he cannot win a championship in Portland, then there is no reason for him to stay.
Philadelphia is definitely in a position to contend for a championship now, but they are still missing that extra little bit of production. Adding Damian Lillard sets them over the edge in terms of offensive production and while the 76ers’ defense would take a hit losing both Simmons and Thybulle, this organization would better their chances of winning a title by getting rid of Ben Simmons now.
READ MORE: Predictions for NBA Trade Rumors: Beal, Lillard, McCollum, Porzingis & Siakam
Damian Lillard is a Top-10 player in this league right now and one of the best pure scoring talents the league has ever seen at the point guard position, which is why he will instantly become the hottest commodity on the trade market should he want out of Portland.
The 76ers will definitely not be the only team trying to pry him away from the Trail Blazers this offseason, which is why Philly will have to be willing to part ways with their best assets to make this trade possible.
Even if they do offer up Simmons, Thybulle, Maxey and future first-round picks, is this enough value for the Portland Trail Blazers to give up their arguably most talented player in franchise history? Let’s take a look at if this trade truly makes sense for both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers.
