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NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul

By Josh Cornelissen

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 06: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs at Little Caesars Arena on October 06, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 06: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs at Little Caesars Arena on October 06, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers' roster overhaul
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida, NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul – Ben Simmons

The Portland Trail Blazers have continued to communicate that they are not open to moving franchise icon Damian Lillard, and that will probably stay the case as long as Lillard communicates that he is comfortable in Portland. He likely won’t ask to leave while he is both injured and hoping for a contract extension this summer.

That being said, the Blazers have been bad even with Lillard this season, and they got decidedly worse with both of their major trades this past week. Especially if Lillard knows he can come back this season and play at a high level, he may ask to be moved at the deadline in order to start contending somewhere else.

Philadelphia is a logical destination, as Daryl Morey is always big-game hunting and is saving Ben Simmons for a superstar. Instead of engaging in a staredown with the Brooklyn Nets, Morey and the 76ers could pivot and add a player who is an even better fit with Joel Embiid than James Harden.

Lillard is a fringe top-10 player in the league and, if healthy, would vault Philadelphia to true title contention, possibly even making them the odds-on favorites.

There are a few different ways this deal could be constructed, and the Sixers may want to toss in another first-round pick and keep Matisse Thybulle. Portland gets a young building block in Ben Simmons to pair with Nassir Little and Anfernee Simons, and Philly gets their superstar.

Is this likely? No. But whenever Lillard asks out, this is the kind of trade that would be on the table.

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