Damian Lillard Wants Portland To Trade For Benjamin Simmons

[DusterBuster]

Honestly, as a Sixers fan i dont want Lillard (too much risk involved). If the Sixers dont have any other option i could see them doing a Simmons for Lillard trade straighup. I doubt Morey will add much more given Lillard's current performance, age and contrac

Generally speaking though, it is extremely hard to find a trade between two teams that both want to improve. If the Blazers dont want to rebuild, i dont see a deal between these two teams materializing, unless Portland offers an absurd amount of picks, which however they could have used to get a better player than Simmons probably, henece it doesnt make much sense either.

This is where I'm landing on it too. As of right now, both teams want to improve and stay competitive, so the priorities of what both teams want is in direct conflict. I just don't think a deal will end up happening.

That said, I would be ok with Portland offering an absurd amount of picks. The Blazers under Olshey should have been willing to do that for a couple of players they had a shot at. Harden, for example, was open to playing in Portland. Portland should have just told Houston - whatever you want that isn't Damian Lillard, you got it. But by all accounts, Olshey's overvaluing of CJ wouldn't allow him to offer a ton of picks in a megadeal. So Portland should have done a deal like that a couple times over now to pair another real star with Dame.

Not sure there's another "star" available that attaching a decades worth of 1st round picks to CJ could get something done. Simmons seems to be the only option out there. So yeah, if Morey wants 3 1st and 3 swaps for Simmons along with CJ, at this point, I say Portland should just do it. It's probably a bad gamble, but I want the Blazers to try at least ONE time in the Dame era to get him a player near the caliber of himself. If that means possibly sacrificing some long-term viability should everything go south, at least you can say you tried.

[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?

Serious question to those who thing a Dame-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why should Portland just trade Dame when he's not unhappy or demanding a trade, while also taking on the Sixers problem child and risk he just continues his holdout here like he is Philly?

[JRoy]

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?

Serious question to those who thing a Dame-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why should Portland just trade Dame when he's not unhappy or demanding a trade, while also taking on the Sixers problem child and risk he just continues his holdout here like he is Philly?

You know the answer.

Because they are not POR fans.

[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?

Serious question to those who thing a Dame-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why should Portland just trade Dame when he's not unhappy or demanding a trade, while also taking on the Sixers problem child and risk he just continues his holdout here like he is Philly?

You know the answer.

Because they are not POR fans.

Obviously. I was asking it rhetorically.

Seems clear to me both sides are at a roadblock that won't move anytime soon, so I don't think a deal happens between the two teams. If Dame did demand out, Simmons has made it clear he doesn't want to play in Portland without Dame here, so Portland would be better off looking for a different deal and the Sixers will continue to be happy to not pay Ben his contract while he sits at home.

[JRoy]

Serious question to those who thing a Dame-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why should Portland just trade Dame when he's not unhappy or demanding a trade, while also taking on the Sixers problem child and risk he just continues his holdout here like he is Philly?

You know the answer.

Because they are not POR fans.

Obviously. I was asking it rhetorically.

Seems clear to me both sides are at a roadblock that won't move anytime soon, so I don't think a deal happens between the two teams. If Dame did demand out, Simmons has made it clear he doesn't want to play in Portland without Dame here, so Portland would be better off looking for a different deal and the Sixers will continue to be happy to not pay Ben his contract while he sits at home.

I thought I had been following closely but I don’t recall Simmons saying he wouldn’t come to PDX with Lillard.

Must have missed that.

[DusterBuster]

You know the answer.

Because they are not POR fans.

Obviously. I was asking it rhetorically.

Seems clear to me both sides are at a roadblock that won't move anytime soon, so I don't think a deal happens between the two teams. If Dame did demand out, Simmons has made it clear he doesn't want to play in Portland without Dame here, so Portland would be better off looking for a different deal and the Sixers will continue to be happy to not pay Ben his contract while he sits at home.

I thought I had been following closely but I don’t recall Simmons saying he wouldn’t come to PDX with Lillard.

Must have missed that.

https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/analysis/report-ben-simmons-doesnt-want-to-play-for-trail-blazers

Honestly, he may not even want to play here if Dame is still here. Although I have to imagine he would be slightly more interested if he is and Dame could sell him on the team.

[Ron Swanson]

Both teams would be foolish to not get a CJ for Simmons deal done at this point. Dame is one of the few superstars that pairs well with Simmons, and the Blazers desperately need both defensive minded players and a roster shakeup. Morey needs to accept the reality that Lillard (or Beal) isn't getting traded this season and take a return of McCollum plus picks so that both A) they can compete this year for something beyond a playoff berth, and B) still have a $30 million salary plus other assets to make a pivot move in the next 2-3 years.

[DusterBuster]

Both teams would be foolish to not get a CJ for Simmons deal done at this point. Dame is one of the few superstars that pairs well with Simmons, and the Blazers desperately need both defensive minded players and a roster shakeup. Morey needs to accept the reality that Lillard (or Beal) isn't getting traded this season and take a return of McCollum plus picks so that both A) they can compete this year for something beyond a playoff berth, and B) still have a $30 million salary plus other assets to make a pivot move in the next 2-3 years.

IF there was a way to get CJ for Simmons done, I think Portland should just pay the freight on the deal for whatever Morey wants on the pick side of things. Teams can survive losing a lot of 1st round picks and the Blazers have found good talent in the 2nd round, in the end, I don't think moving a metric ton of FRPs is a deathblow.

That said, it's kinda pointless to discuss anyway since most Sixer fans (and very possibly Morey himself) are too thirsty for Dame to think of anything else.

[Pattycakes]

You get CJ, you’re thankful and that’s it Philly. You have no leverage, and Simmons isn’t a needle mover

[ProcessDoctor]

Serious question to those who thing a Dame-Ben trade is remotely possible:

Why should Portland just trade Dame when he's not unhappy or demanding a trade, while also taking on the Sixers problem child and risk he just continues his holdout here like he is Philly?

You know the answer.

Because they are not POR fans.

Obviously. I was asking it rhetorically.

Seems clear to me both sides are at a roadblock that won't move anytime soon, so I don't think a deal happens between the two teams. If Dame did demand out, Simmons has made it clear he doesn't want to play in Portland without Dame here, so Portland would be better off looking for a different deal and the Sixers will continue to be happy to not pay Ben his contract while he sits at home.

I think the only way a Simmons-CJ deal happens is if it involves a 3rd team. Simmons to POR, CJ+picks to 3rd team, and X player(s) to PHI. Hard to envision who that 3rd team would be though.

[Vampirate]

Honestly, as a Sixers fan i dont want Lillard (too much risk involved). If the Sixers dont have any other option i could see them doing a Simmons for Lillard trade straighup. I doubt Morey will add much more given Lillard's current performance, age and contrac

Generally speaking though, it is extremely hard to find a trade between two teams that both want to improve. If the Blazers dont want to rebuild, i dont see a deal between these two teams materializing, unless Portland offers an absurd amount of picks, which however they could have used to get a better player than Simmons probably, henece it doesnt make much sense either.

This is where I'm landing on it too. As of right now, both teams want to improve and stay competitive, so the priorities of what both teams want is in direct conflict. I just don't think a deal will end up happening.

That said, I would be ok with Portland offering an absurd amount of picks. The Blazers under Olshey should have been willing to do that for a couple of players they had a shot at. Harden, for example, was open to playing in Portland. Portland should have just told Houston - whatever you want that isn't Damian Lillard, you got it. But by all accounts, Olshey's overvaluing of CJ wouldn't allow him to offer a ton of picks in a megadeal. So Portland should have done a deal like that a couple times over now to pair another real star with Dame.

Not sure there's another "star" available that attaching a decades worth of 1st round picks to CJ could get something done. Simmons seems to be the only option out there. So yeah, if Morey wants 3 1st and 3 swaps for Simmons along with CJ, at this point, I say Portland should just do it. It's probably a bad gamble, but I want the Blazers to try at least ONE time in the Dame era to get him a player near the caliber of himself. If that means possibly sacrificing some long-term viability should everything go south, at least you can say you tried.

I think you guys can trade Powell+ without touching Lillard or CJ tbh. If the Blazers are gonna go for it either Powell or CJ has to be moved.

Then again, is CJ really that much better than Norm?

If not either, just blow it up really.

[DusterBuster]

You know the answer.

Because they are not POR fans.

Obviously. I was asking it rhetorically.

Seems clear to me both sides are at a roadblock that won't move anytime soon, so I don't think a deal happens between the two teams. If Dame did demand out, Simmons has made it clear he doesn't want to play in Portland without Dame here, so Portland would be better off looking for a different deal and the Sixers will continue to be happy to not pay Ben his contract while he sits at home.

I think the only way a Simmons-CJ deal happens is if it involves a 3rd team. Simmons to POR, CJ+picks to 3rd team, and X player(s) to PHI. Hard to envision who that 3rd team would be though.

Morey already made an offer to Portland with CJ as the player coming back, so let's not pretend like the Sixers have ZERO interest in taking him back. They've already made it pretty clear they would. So I don't believe you that it would HAVE to be a 3 team deal, but Portland would need to fork over an insane amount of 1sts for Morey to accept.

[DusterBuster]

Honestly, as a Sixers fan i dont want Lillard (too much risk involved). If the Sixers dont have any other option i could see them doing a Simmons for Lillard trade straighup. I doubt Morey will add much more given Lillard's current performance, age and contrac

Generally speaking though, it is extremely hard to find a trade between two teams that both want to improve. If the Blazers dont want to rebuild, i dont see a deal between these two teams materializing, unless Portland offers an absurd amount of picks, which however they could have used to get a better player than Simmons probably, henece it doesnt make much sense either.

This is where I'm landing on it too. As of right now, both teams want to improve and stay competitive, so the priorities of what both teams want is in direct conflict. I just don't think a deal will end up happening.

That said, I would be ok with Portland offering an absurd amount of picks. The Blazers under Olshey should have been willing to do that for a couple of players they had a shot at. Harden, for example, was open to playing in Portland. Portland should have just told Houston - whatever you want that isn't Damian Lillard, you got it. But by all accounts, Olshey's overvaluing of CJ wouldn't allow him to offer a ton of picks in a megadeal. So Portland should have done a deal like that a couple times over now to pair another real star with Dame.

Not sure there's another "star" available that attaching a decades worth of 1st round picks to CJ could get something done. Simmons seems to be the only option out there. So yeah, if Morey wants 3 1st and 3 swaps for Simmons along with CJ, at this point, I say Portland should just do it. It's probably a bad gamble, but I want the Blazers to try at least ONE time in the Dame era to get him a player near the caliber of himself. If that means possibly sacrificing some long-term viability should everything go south, at least you can say you tried.

I think you guys can trade Powell+ without touching Lillard or CJ tbh. If the Blazers are gonna go for it either Powell or CJ has to be moved.

Then again, is CJ really that much better than Norm?

If not either, just blow it up really.

Yeah, it was a really awkward move to get Powell… still not sure why Olshey did that one.

But to your question, CJ is much better than Powell. Powell is good but CJ is a much more creative offensive player and his defense has improved this year according to some early advanced stats (not sure those still hold true tho, haven’t checked in about 10gms)

[ProcessDoctor]

Obviously. I was asking it rhetorically.

Seems clear to me both sides are at a roadblock that won't move anytime soon, so I don't think a deal happens between the two teams. If Dame did demand out, Simmons has made it clear he doesn't want to play in Portland without Dame here, so Portland would be better off looking for a different deal and the Sixers will continue to be happy to not pay Ben his contract while he sits at home.

I think the only way a Simmons-CJ deal happens is if it involves a 3rd team. Simmons to POR, CJ+picks to 3rd team, and X player(s) to PHI. Hard to envision who that 3rd team would be though.

Morey already made an offer to Portland with CJ as the player coming back, so let's not pretend like the Sixers have ZERO interest in taking him back. They've already made it pretty clear they would. So I don't believe you that it would HAVE to be a 3 team deal, but Portland would need to fork over an insane amount of 1sts for Morey to accept.

I think that "offer" was more of an "f u" type thing.

"Sure, you can have Simmons for CJ if you give me control of your draft for the next 6 years."

[HMFFL]

Ben for CJ seems fair. Philly needs to just get past this and get someone who can help Embiid

CJ is five years older than Ben Simmons is so if anything Philly will expect more than CJ.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[Maxthirty]

Both teams would be foolish to not get a CJ for Simmons deal done at this point. Dame is one of the few superstars that pairs well with Simmons, and the Blazers desperately need both defensive minded players and a roster shakeup. Morey needs to accept the reality that Lillard (or Beal) isn't getting traded this season and take a return of McCollum plus picks so that both A) they can compete this year for something beyond a playoff berth, and B) still have a $30 million salary plus other assets to make a pivot move in the next 2-3 years.

Can you explain why you think only a few superstars pair well with Simmons and why a declining Damian Lillard is one of those few? Genuinely asking.

[DusterBuster]

I think the only way a Simmons-CJ deal happens is if it involves a 3rd team. Simmons to POR, CJ+picks to 3rd team, and X player(s) to PHI. Hard to envision who that 3rd team would be though.

Morey already made an offer to Portland with CJ as the player coming back, so let's not pretend like the Sixers have ZERO interest in taking him back. They've already made it pretty clear they would. So I don't believe you that it would HAVE to be a 3 team deal, but Portland would need to fork over an insane amount of 1sts for Morey to accept.

I think that "offer" was more of an "f u" type thing.

"Sure, you can have Simmons for CJ if you give me control of your draft for the next 6 years."

Well, I'm just going off of what was reported instead of trying to guess the intentions of Morey's thinking.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Both teams would be foolish to not get a CJ for Simmons deal done at this point. Dame is one of the few superstars that pairs well with Simmons, and the Blazers desperately need both defensive minded players and a roster shakeup. Morey needs to accept the reality that Lillard (or Beal) isn't getting traded this season and take a return of McCollum plus picks so that both A) they can compete this year for something beyond a playoff berth, and B) still have a $30 million salary plus other assets to make a pivot move in the next 2-3 years.

Can you explain why you think only a few superstars pair well with Simmons and why a declining Damian Lillard is one of those few? Genuinely asking.

Need an elite end-of-game performer next to Simmons and need an elite defender next to Lillard who can help him get some more easy looks during the course of the game maybe?

[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.

Agreed.

Simmons is the better player, but CJ next to Embiid is the better fit.

I agree. I feel like CJ would be a perfect fit in Philly. They would have a very good perimeter game with Embiid, S.Curry, and CJ.

[JujitsuFlip]

Honestly Blazers should just do it. Give Morey the 3 unprotected firsts in 2024, 2026, and 2028. From there, see how many pick swaps can be taken off the table if Little is included. For sure surrender the 2023 swap, possibly the 2025 swap and call it a day.

From there immediately trade Nurk to the Pistons for Olynyk OR if it won't be a PR nightmare, bring Meyers back on the minimum and move Nurk to the bench until the deadline.

Slide RoCo to the 3 and move Powell to the bench. For who the final starter should be I'm kind of conflicted. I kind of think Nance is the best option on the roster, just hurts the bench a bit. Maybe can do Snell even though he hasn't been great.

Dame
Snell
RoCo
Ben
Olynyk or Meyers