Trail Blazers rumors: Trade talk around Damian Lillard, Philadelphia 76ers

The Athletic’s headline will tell Portland Trail Blazers fans that the Philadelphia 76ers are more focused on getting Damian Lillard than they are on just trading Ben Simmons.

"“It would be fair to say the goal is less to trade Ben Simmons and more to acquire Lillard.”"

Philly’s Athletic beat writer Derek Bodner detailed the 76ers interest in this article. ( behind paywall. )

Though any potential trade for Dame, is pretty frightening to Blazer fans, I think there’s a good chance that Dame requests a trade in the next 12 months.

Since the game five playoff loss where Dame had 55 points and one of the greatest shooting performances of all-time, Dame requesting a trade has been on the cards more than ever before.

Though he hasn’t officially requested a trade and has publicly said he is happy where he is, the Blazers inability to surround him with better talent, combined with the messy hiring of Chauncey Billups, may mean that the end is closer than we think.

From the 76ers point of view, they have to move Ben Simmons. Reports last week detailed that Simmons had stopped returning his teammate’s calls and that he had left all contact with his team to his agent and representation: Klutch Sports and Rich Paul.

If the 76ers have to move Simmons, then it’s a no-brainer that they should go for a win-now guy who is ready to contend alongside Joel Embiid.

If Neil Olshey is unwilling to or unable to make moves in the next six months until the NBA’s trade deadline, to improve the team around Damian Lillard, then maybe Dame makes the extreme move of requesting a trade at the deadline.