While it doesn’t look at this point like the Trail Blazers will seriously explore Damian Lillard trades this offseason, that doesn’t mean they’re not getting calls about their All-NBA point guard. Front office sources tell Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer that the Heat, Kings, Knicks, Rockets, and Sixers have been the most aggressive suitors for Lillard as of late.
With no Lillard trade request imminent, the Blazers are more likely to pursue upgrades around the star guard, though O’Connor notes that the team’s trade assets are somewhat limited. Portland doesn’t have any draft picks this year and rival teams aren’t particularly high on young players like Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little, according to O’Connor. The club’s best bet for a deal that reshapes the roster and increases its ceiling might involve CJ McCollum and Ben Simmons, O’Connor adds.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Former WNBA guard Edniesha Curry has joined Chauncey Billups‘ new Trail Blazers coaching staff, tweets Jason Quick of The Athletic. Curry had been an assistant for the men’s basketball team at the University of Maine since 2018.
- When Juan Hernangomez dislocated his left shoulder earlier this month, it appeared to end his chances of playing for Spain at the Tokyo Olympics. However, Spain’s final 12-man roster for the games includes the Timberwolves forward, a signal that Hernangomez’s injury isn’t as serious as initially believed. Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press has the story.
- The Nuggets brought in Miles McBride, Joshua Primo, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Alan Griffin, Damien Jefferson, and Zaccheus Darko-Kelly for a pre-draft workout on Monday, then hosted David Duke, Jalen Crutcher, Aaron Henry, Colbey Ross, Terry Taylor, and Ethan Thompson for a group workout on Tuesday, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post (Twitter links).
The Rockets? They shouldn’t be trading for Lillard. Just focus on rebuilding.
I have a feeling Mr. Stone isn’t sure what he is doing.
Lol Rockets are the front runner.
The cheating Astros seem to be the only major sports team here in Houston to have a competent front office. Excuse me while I go rewatch the 1994 finals on DVD that I completely missed growing up or the 2017 World Series.
How does he not know what he’s doing? He was forced to trade Westbrook and Harden. He took a swing at Oladipo and that didn’t work out but Levert isn’t pushing the needle anywhere. He’s throwing his hat in the ring for a superstar player and the Rockets have some assets. He’d be doing the organization a disservice to not pick up the phone and see what’s up.
Levert might’ve worked in Houston because he’s younger, less injury prone, and cost less money. If the Rockets get Lillard, then what? Who do they got to pair with him? Wood? They need more than that.
Lillard isn’t going to let Portland trade him anywhere without another star or with an assurance that one will join him. The only way to win in the league is to have stars. You have to shoot for them any time you can.
And my point is if they get Lillard, they need more than just him and Wood.
As a 76ers fan, I am hopeful for Lillard. I like McCollum too but he’s not really a PG. Lillard is a true PG who can get buckets in droves. McCollum is solid shooter but I’m not sure he’s the best option for the Sixers. If Simmons is moved, the haul better put them in a position where they can compete with the Bucks and Nets.
I do not understand why these writers keep talking about a Simmons for CJ swap. That solves nothing for Portland. Guard isn’t even a great need. They need help up front. They can deal CJ for help up front and I hope they do, but Simmons makes zero sense and simply does not improve the team in an area of actual need.
These guys gotta stop pushing this CJ for Simmons stuff, it’s non sensical.
Simmons is about the only all star caliber player a cj trade is gonna possibly be able to fetch ! Short of that they would be trying to keep dame happy by running it back or trading cj for a handful of rebuilding pieces !
Cj is also about to turn 30 an due 100 million over the next 3 years , that’s a lot to take in
I’d love to see them slang CJ and a future first for a legit front court guy. Gotta go all in for once. Last chance to do so w/Dame, so gotta try.
Ben Simmons is 6-10, an All-Star, an all defensive NBA player, and I believe he would be better for the Blazers then CJ McCollum. That’s why there’s talk.
I disagree. He’s not much of a factor offensively and put more workload on Lillard to score. Besides, other than Lillard who are these other pieces Been is passing too? they don’t beef ANYONE taking the ball out of Lillard’s hands. Find someone he can play off of, especially in the post.
Wow, admittedly I didn’t realize Simmons was 6’ 10”! WTF is he running point for??
Still think there’s better options out there for a CJ swap and I’d be fine with going all in and offering up future firsts. If it doesn’t work out, they trade Dame next summer and recoup those lost draft picks.
Simmons isn’t really a guard. He’s called a point guard because he’s got great handles and passing ability, but he’s 6’10” and can check literally anyone on the court. In fact, I think his best use is probably as a point forward, taking the opposition’s best wing on D and serving as a half-court passer and slasher on O. He fits the Blazers, who desperately need man defense, like a glove.
LBJ worked out the post before and it worked. Putting Simmons close to the basket at least laughs to his limited shooting range. His inability to hit FTs limits scoring opps but hack a Ben at least puts the opp closer to FT penalties. But that crowds things for Embiid which might push him out to the perimeter and while he can hit shots from the outside it’s not using him the best way.
I would say that defense is “an area of actual need” for the Blazers though…
While Lillard would be a great addition to the Heat, he still wouldn’t solve our Achilles Heal of lacking size.