Damian Lillard Wants Portland To Trade For Benjamin Simmons

[DusterBuster]

For Portland, its fair to say they have failed to build around Lillard, its fair to say he is on the decline, its fair to say he will be getting payed 40+ mil of the cap space. If one is a Portland fan and a Lillard fan they would ideally want what is best for both, assuming the person is even a fan of the team and not just a fan of a player.

I've said this same exact thing. I'm not opposed to moving Lillard if that's what he wants. I wouldn't even be totally opposed to trading Lillard for Simmons in the right deal, but I just truly don't believe Simmons would play for Portland. I think he would bring the same clown-show he's started in Philly with him to Portland.

Say what you will about his reps flip-flopping, but there's no real evidence we have one way or another that he would or wouldn't play here. It's fine if you think he would, I personally believe he wouldn't. That's why I don't want to see a Dame for Simmons deal, I don't want that headache here.

[LivingLegend]

its very simple, blazers needs to go all-in

everybody except dame should be on the trade block in order to improve the team and if that fails miserably, we trade everybody and go into full rebuild and i think thats exactly whats gonna happen, new gm will make sure to do so

Curious, how has Nance looked? Has he helped the whole big man rotation thing the Blazers lacked off the bench?

[DusterBuster]

its very simple, blazers needs to go all-in

everybody except dame should be on the trade block in order to improve the team and if that fails miserably, we trade everybody and go into full rebuild and i think thats exactly whats gonna happen, new gm will make sure to do so

Curious, how has Nance looked? Has he helped the whole big man rotation thing the Blazers lacked off the bench?

Fine. Not "worthy of trading a 1st round pick" like Olshey stupidly did, but he's doing fine. He's had a few standout games, a few non-existent ones... just standard rotational bigman type stuff.

[Tacoma]

Serious question to those thinking a CJ-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why would Morey make a trade to keep Dame, his ultimate trade target, happy in Portland?

Conversely, why would Portland want to now trade Dame for Simmons? Simmons was always on the table and Portland had already said no because they want to build around and win now with Dame, not trade him away and rebuild.

Simmons comes with immense baggage and his superior defense is offset by his non-existent outside shooting and playoff woes. If Dame ever goes on the trading block, there will likely be many teams that will put in better offers than Morey. I don't see Portland, or any team frankly, wanting to rebuild around Simmons as your "star."

[Tacoma]

For Portland, its fair to say they have failed to build around Lillard, its fair to say he is on the decline, its fair to say he will be getting payed 40+ mil of the cap space. If one is a Portland fan and a Lillard fan they would ideally want what is best for both, assuming the person is even a fan of the team and not just a fan of a player.

I've said this same exact thing. I'm not opposed to moving Lillard if that's what he wants. I wouldn't even be totally opposed to trading Lillard for Simmons in the right deal, but I just truly don't believe Simmons would play for Portland. I think he would bring the same clown-show he's started in Philly with him to Portland. Say what you will about his reps flip-flopping, but there's no real evidence we have one way or another that he would or wouldn't play here. It's fine if you think he would, I personally believe he wouldn't. That's why I don't want to see a Dame for Simmons deal, I don't want that headache here.

I'd go further and say that the 'flip-flopping" is actually a bad thing. Obviously, before any Lillard-Simmons trade can happen, Simmons would have to previously agree to want to play for Portland. But even if he agrees, how do you know he won't flip-flop later? Given his past, it would be a big risk for Portland.

As I said above, if Lillard is ever up for trade, there will likely be a bidding war from many teams to get him, and I don't see Philly coming out on top if Simmons is the best player coming back.

[dYYYh.k²]

if portland is trading for simmons, they have to let go of billups the same day. too much criticism coming from that guy.

[DusterBuster]

Serious question to those thinking a CJ-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why would Morey make a trade to keep Dame, his ultimate trade target, happy in Portland?

Conversely, why would Portland want to now trade Dame for Simmons? Simmons was always on the table and Portland had already said no because they want to build around and win now with Dame, not trade him away and rebuild.

Simmons comes with immense baggage and his superior defense is offset by his non-existent outside shooting and playoff woes. If Dame ever goes on the trading block, there will likely be many teams that will put in better offers than Morey. I don't see Portland, or any team frankly, wanting to rebuild around Simmons as your "star."

Exactly. That "why would we help the other team out with its problem" argument goes both ways. It's a game of chicken that very likely just ends up that neither team gets what they want. Morey ends up stuck with Simmons sitting and home and the Blazers end up keeping Lillard or trading him elsewhere.

[DroseReturnChi]

I've said this same exact thing. I'm not opposed to moving Lillard if that's what he wants. I wouldn't even be totally opposed to trading Lillard for Simmons in the right deal, but I just truly don't believe Simmons would play for Portland. I think he would bring the same clown-show he's started in Philly with him to Portland.

Thats pdxs problem not phillys. pdx can replicate what morey did and trade simmons then. but dame is a sixer bc he wants simmons. Dame is on major decline and creating even more drama he needs to be moved for simmons.

[Danny1616]

A deal revolving around CJ McCollum and Simmons makes the most sense for both teams.

[Flash4thewin]

Serious question to those thinking a CJ-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why would Morey make a trade to keep Dame, his ultimate trade target, happy in Portland?

Conversely, why would Portland want to now trade Dame for Simmons? Simmons was always on the table and Portland had already said no because they want to build around and win now with Dame, not trade him away and rebuild.

Simmons comes with immense baggage and his superior defense is offset by his non-existent outside shooting and playoff woes. If Dame ever goes on the trading block, there will likely be many teams that will put in better offers than Morey. I don't see Portland, or any team frankly, wanting to rebuild around Simmons as your "star."

The rational is that Lillard is sick of losing and want to have a chance at winning. The Blazers top mgt was just fired and the coach is publicly calling out his players. They have said they want to build around him every year but have objectively failed at this point.

Putting Lillard on the one market will not bring back what it could have years ago. He is older, he is on his decline, he is owed over 40+ mil. That makes it hard for a team to justify trading for him unless they think it would make them a contender and it makes sense for them. For a rebuilding team, getting a young asset like Simmons is imperative, it helps immensely. Its not perfect but it makes sense. In a perfect world Portland would have made drastic moves years ago, traded CJ and actual given Lillard a chance to compete, not make the same old stagnant moves they proceeded to make instead.

[Saints14]

Dame for Simmons makes no sense for Portland. If they trade Dame, they're rebuilding, and you aren't rebuilding around a max contract guy who hasn't improved and has serious character issues.

Some form of Simmons for CJ always made the most sense. Now, Maxey and Curry have played so well that I understand if Philly is less interested in McCollum than over the summer, but they also lose more leverage each day Simmons sits. McCollum still adds a lot for them and you can stagger him/Maxey/Curry as to basically have 2 of them on the court at once. They could probably get Nassir Little out of the deal as well

[DusterBuster]

I've said this same exact thing. I'm not opposed to moving Lillard if that's what he wants. I wouldn't even be totally opposed to trading Lillard for Simmons in the right deal, but I just truly don't believe Simmons would play for Portland. I think he would bring the same clown-show he's started in Philly with him to Portland.

Thats pdxs problem not phillys. pdx can replicate what morey did and trade simmons then. but dame is a sixer bc he wants simmons. Dame is on major decline and creating even more drama he needs to be moved for simmons.

It's actually not PDXs problem, Portland is under no obligation to trade Dame for Simmons...

[DusterBuster]

Dame for Simmons makes no sense for Portland. If they trade Dame, they're rebuilding, and you aren't rebuilding around a max contract guy who hasn't improved and has serious character issues.

Some form of Simmons for CJ always made the most sense. Now, Maxey and Curry have played so well that I understand if Philly is less interested in McCollum than over the summer, but they also lose more leverage each day Simmons sits. McCollum still adds a lot for them and you can stagger him/Maxey/Curry as to basically have 2 of them on the court at once. They could probably get Nassir Little out of the deal as well

If Simmons were willing to play for Portland and leave his baggage in Philly (again, still not convinced in the slightest), I can see some sense in a Dame for Simmons deal. I think they can build a competitive team around a young core of Simons, Simmons and Little, plus a higher lottery pick this year. Simons has proven he's ready to be an NBA starter and he's a really good shooter. The team would be pretty entertaining and play with high energy at least, plus it gets the team on the right side of their 20's.

Again, my biggest problem with any Simmons for Dame deal isn't the offer itself, it's Simmons himself and what he's going to do here in Portland. He's just too much of a risk/wildcard.

[Danny1616]

What about CJ, Covington, a 1st and a 2nd for Simmons and Thybulle.

[DusterBuster]

What about CJ, Covington, a 1st and a 2nd for Simmons and Thybulle.

Most Sixer fans are too thirsty for Dame to accept / consider / entertain any deal that doesn't involve him, so don't expect any traction here.

[ProcessDoctor]

What about CJ, Covington, a 1st and a 2nd for Simmons and Thybulle.

Most Sixer fans are too thirsty for Dame to accept / consider / entertain any deal that doesn't involve him, so don't expect any traction here.

It's not just Sixers fans, it's Daryl Morey. He asked for CJ + three FRPs + three FRP swaps for Simmons. You think he's going to throw in Thybulle and take on Covington with less picks included? All while Dame might become available in the next 1-6 months?

[DusterBuster]

What about CJ, Covington, a 1st and a 2nd for Simmons and Thybulle.

Most Sixer fans are too thirsty for Dame to accept / consider / entertain any deal that doesn't involve him, so don't expect any traction here.

It's not just Sixers fans, it's Daryl Morey. He asked for CJ + three FRPs + three FRP swaps for Simmons. You think he's going to throw in Thybulle and take on Covington with less picks included? All while Dame might become available in the next 1-6 months?

I highly doubt Dame comes available. There's a lot more speculation that solid truth to that. Dame himself has been pretty consistent that it's not likely to happen.

That said, I do agree, that offer is too low at this point. Portland needs to include a lot more picks. But even then, I think both teams will be at an impasse.

[draftnightsuit]

Sixers don’t need McCollum, they need a 2-way wing. A third team would need to be involved.

[macNcheese3]

Having CJ is much better than not having Simmons play at all. I think Simmons is worth more than CJ, but the Sixers would be a much better team with the addition of CJ.

[ProcessDoctor]

Most Sixer fans are too thirsty for Dame to accept / consider / entertain any deal that doesn't involve him, so don't expect any traction here.

It's not just Sixers fans, it's Daryl Morey. He asked for CJ + three FRPs + three FRP swaps for Simmons. You think he's going to throw in Thybulle and take on Covington with less picks included? All while Dame might become available in the next 1-6 months?

I highly doubt Dame comes available. There's a lot more speculation that solid truth to that. Dame himself has been pretty consistent that it's not likely to happen.

Agreed, nothing concrete. That being said, there's been enough smoke to be mistaken for a wildfire in Portland.