How This Trade Impacts Philadelphia 76ers

This is the kind of trade that Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers are holding out for. They are looking to acquire a superstar or major draft capital in a deal for Ben Simmons. This deal with the Portland Trail Blazers certainly fills the superstar box. If they want to truly contend for an NBA Championship, this is the kind of trade they will push for.

Damian Lillard is one of the best players currently in the NBA. He is as explosive of a scorer as anyone in the league and is a threat to put the ball in the basket right when he steps over halfcourt.

Pairing him with Joel Embiid would be magical on offense. Teams would be stretched thin trying to stop a pick-and-roll attack with them as they could legitimately start their offense 30+ feet away from the basket. That would create plenty of attacking lanes for Lillard who would then get his own shot or find an open teammate on the perimeter when the defense collapses.

Philadelphia would have one of the best duos in the league if they were able to pry Lillard away from Portland. He provides exactly what they are missing offensively, as they would get bogged down in halfcourt sets because of the sometimes awkward fit with Simmons’s reluctance to shoot the ball.

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There is zero doubt that the 76ers would do this trade if it was presented to them. They would likely have to wait and see how things unfold during the season, but it seems clear they are willing to wait this one out.

If all this patience results in Lillard coming to Philadelphia, it was well worth the wait.