Despite another recent declaration by Damian Lillard denying claims that he's requested for a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, the whispers just won't go away. They are actually getting louder with the Philadelphia 76ers identified as one of the teams that could emerge as an ideal landing spot for Dame.
A recent article by a team of ESPN insiders has added further fire to this flame. However, Blazers fans are going to be pretty pissed once they learn that in this proposed trade, they won't be getting Philly's want-away star, Ben Simmons, back. So what will the Sixers send to Portland in exchange for their cornerstone superstar? Well, this proposal is contentious, to say the least.
According to the NBA gurus of ESPN, the Blazers could actually benefit from a deal sending Lillard and Cody Zeller to the Sixers in exchange for Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, and Philly's 2022 first-round pick.
On paper, this might actually work. The Sixers get instantly propelled to the championship conversation with Lillard potentially forming a Big 3 with Simmons and Joel Embiid. Philly will give up their depth, but the reward should be more than worth it.
For the Blazers, however, a deal of this nature would be an indication of their decision to commit to a full rebuild. Portland won't get a superstar in exchange for Lillard (no, Tobias Harris is not a superstar) which will put an end to their already fluttering title hopes. Are the Blazers this desperate at this point? Is it time to blow everything up right now?
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