There are a lot of reports involving the Portland Trail Blazers that could change the landscape of the NBA for this season. A lot of them involve superstar point guard Damian Lillard, who is looking for some changes to be made to the roster.
Portland is currently 11-13 as Lillard is going to be sidelined a few more days. He is dealing with an abdominal injury that flared up during his time with Team USA in the Olympics over the summer but he has shared is something that has bothered him for more than three years.
Lillard wants significant changes made to the roster, which is understandable. The team is losing more than they want to and with Neil Olshey being fired as general manager and president of basketball operations, there will be a new vision put in place.
Could that vision include disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons? If Lillard has his way, that is exactly the move that will be made.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard Wants ‘Significant’ Changes To Trail Blazers Roster
According to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Lillard wants to pair up with Simmons. The Trail Blazers have been one of the teams mentioned as a potential trade partner for the 76ers in a deal centered around Simmons, but Philadelphia wants Lillard in those trade talks.
Lillard wants to be paired with Simmons, not traded for him. It makes sense that he would want to play with Simmons, as the two would mesh together well, skillset-wise.
“Multiple sources have told The Athletic that Lillard would like to play with Philadelphia 76ers three-time All-Star Ben Simmons. The Trail Blazers’ league-worst defense would instantly improve, and sharing a backcourt with a non-shooter could work given Lillard’s high-volume usage.”
Chauncey Billups was brought in to help turn around Portland’s defense, which was second-worst in the NBA last season. The only team with a worse defensive rating last season was the Sacramento Kings, who had the worst defensive rating in the history of the NBA.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard Wants ‘Significant’ Changes To Trail Blazers Roster
This season, Portland has technically improved, as they are now the third-worst team in the NBA when it comes to defensive rating. Billups has not had the impact the organization had hoped he would, but Simmons would help turn that around.
Ben Simmons is arguably the most versatile defender in the NBA with his ability to defend point guards or centers with the same success. His addition to the Portland Trail Blazers team would assuredly help them get on track on that end of the court with Damian Lillard leading the way offensively.
