Several eyes have been trained on Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers for the longest time. They're not the powerhouse with a target on their backs. Instead, teams are more interested in Lillard's immediate future in Rip City.
According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, Lillard's status with the Blazers could affect the rumored trade discussions involving several teams and the Philadelphia 76ers centered on Ben Simmons.
Simmons is the only one among them who is available, but his availability is very much tied to the other two — and probably more to Lillard than Beal, though that can swing in time. Several teams — including the Warriors, Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves — have discussed Simmons with varying degrees of interest, sources said, but one reason talks haven't gone far is that the Sixers likely view Simmons as their path to Lillard.
The Sixers' asking price in a Simmons deal has been astronomical as Daryl Morey and co. are rumored to be seeking a star in return along with other assets. Damian Lillard fits the bill in terms of star status and potential fit with Joel Embiid.
Lillard and Embiid in Philly would be scary. Lillard is the guard Embiid wishes he had in the postseason. On the other hand, the Cameroonian big man would easily be the best teammate whom the Olympic gold medalist has ever had.
Despite all these, Lillard has affirmed his love for Portland several times. Based on the Blazers' offseason thus far, they're not in rebuild mode or even in a retooling phase. Though the trade rumors are persistent, it would still require some serious convincing if the Blazers decide to open the floodgates by letting go of Lillard.
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