Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard recently pledged his commitment to Portland — at least to start the season — in a post shared to his Instagram account. “Back for more… #RipCity is my city”, Lillard posted, including a photo of him high-fiving Blazers fans.
A six-time All-Star, Lillard has seen his name surface in trade rumors throughout the offseason. His production increased once the playoffs came around last season, averaging 34.3 points, 10.2 assists and 41.3 minutes per game in six total contests.
The Sixers are among the teams that have expressed interest in Lillard, with team president Daryl Morey reportedly hoping that he would request a trade from Portland before the season. Philadelphia has been exploring the trade market for disgruntled star Ben Simmons (owed $33MM in 2020/21).
With Lillard re-affirming his commitment to Portland, any trade request remains highly unlikely for the time being. Should things change before the trade deadline, however, a large number of rival teams are expected to circle back and express interest in his services.
What do you think? Will Damian Lillard remain with the Blazers for the 2021/22 season, or will he request a trade? Will the team succeed enough to keep him in town? Vote in our poll, then head to the comments below to share your thoughts!
McCollum will be traded for Simmons so I mean…
Philly will be lucky to get a player that good for Simmons.
I still would like to see Kings for Marvin Bagley, Hield, & 2 1sts..
Only way Simmons gets over the hump is as a point forward on a team with 2 score – first PGs , if he’s not going to shoot on offense then he needs to be setting screens and making cuts.
Simmons as a point guard was ok , but he needs to be seriously evaluated as a cutter/post up SF, who can excell in passing from that position.
– For the 76ers this gives them 2 expiring contracts of intriguing players who could audition this season.
And turns the starting PG role over to Maxey (Shake backup) who will have 2 new weapons to work with on offense as well as two 1sts from the sloppy Kings org. all just to dump the Simmins experiment
Fox
Haliburton
Simmons
Barnes
Holmes/TT
Maxey
Hield
Toby / Green
Bagels / Toby
Embiid
You hate the Sixers, we get it. Now go on with ridiculous suggestions like this. Ugh.
I would consider Tobias for CJ, that’s likely the best return CJ would get. Ben is out of reach with most of these baseless hypothetical trades
Thank god we got an NBA GM in the comment section over here.
Jk get your biased take outta here no 76er fan comments can be taken seriously. Tobias is not worth anything.
I just know he won’t be in Philly , simmons is not leading a dame deal anymore then wall is leading a simmons deal !
Simmons will be traded by December this year. Lillard is likely to be traded next summer.
76ers have more than enough assets to acquire Lillard if someone wants to meet the requirements of asking price
A Dame for Simmons trade makes less sense than a Simmons for Wall trade.
76ers acquire Wiseman, Kuminga, Moody and Two Firsts from Warriors
And then
Turn around and package these 5 assets for Lillard next summer
I guess in the case of Simmons for Wall, those Houston draft picks become worth something
Lol, look at you hoping to talk yourself and your team into landing Ben
Yes ….. I think CJ might not. Still like CJ in Atlanta. It would be good for both teams.
Something to stoke the fires every summer, and I think Dame did consider moving, but it is too late for that this year.
Lillard agrees to an extension and has Blazers wheeling and dealing to build a team around him. 3 years he’s traded off after a mutual understanding that things were not working out.
You’re telling me Melo as the 3rd guy wasn’t a good plan ?
Depends on how bad they are out of the gate. Man gets his hopes up they get bounced in the playoffs each year as if the regular season didn’t matter.
Simmons is dead fish at this point , a trade for MC would just help the 6rs
POR will be successful this season if they are one & done… I mean if they manage to get to the playoffs, they will be 1st round fodder to be easily beaten, that is the best POR can hope for, if Dame is happy with that, great, if not, let him leave, depends on him… just getting tired with all his drama!
I mean if you wanna be a loyal guy, be, if you are just interested in winning a championship, then go wherever you can win one, but loyalty must never depend on winning, then is easy & worthless to be loyal.
So the ball is in Dame’s court, stay or leave, just make up your mind man, getting tired of all the articles about his decision, make one, any, & stick with it man!
I think a lot of it depends on how PDX comes out the gate. If they’re sub-.500 by Xmas I’d look for the trigger to be pulled.
Even hovering around .500 probably gives Dame leverage to request out.
But if they continue their 50 win-ish trajectory that they’ve had the last 3-4 years then it’s going to be tougher for either side to hit eject.
But I do think this team is broken to some extent. And the coaching change came w/ baggage so I could see them stumbling to find footing this year. We’ll see.
Might as well wait for that new Arena to be built in LA …
Wiggins+2 second rounders for Lillard. Can’t give them Poole, he is vital. Will keep Wiseman+Kuminga+Moody for a Beal trade.
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