Damian Lillard Wants Portland To Trade For Benjamin Simmons

[DusterBuster]

I love that the Sixers haven't paid the Young Socialite any salary this season. Brotha messed with the wrong city

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/fines-suspensions/philadelphia-76ers/point-guard/

He made his choice and choices have consequences. Good on the Sixers for sticking to their guns on that part of this saga. If you don't play and you have no other reasoning than "cause I don't wanna", then you don't deserve to get paid. Simple as that.

[Scalabrine]

Sixers are are a play in team cause they have the most missed games due to Covid. It’s simple as that.

Cj doesn’t move the needle.

Only reason Portland wants to trade cj is cause they have overlap of another small scoring guard in Powell to fill the CJ slot

Sixers are in desperate need of a true point guard. Cj isn’t that. And he barely plays defense. So Portland keeps Powell who plays better defense and probably do 90% of what cj does on offense. And get all world 1-4 defender/rebounder plus another primary ball handler in Simmons they desperately need.

Think who’s team is really benefiting the team.

The trade that makes the most sense for sixers is Tobias Harris for CJ trade. But Portland fans will be up in arms on that trade.

What do the Sixers get in the trade then?

Are you REALLY trying to argue that adding McCollum, one of Nance/Covington and a 1st rounder for someone who REFUSES TO PLAY FOR YOU, is not benefitting you? I'm sorry, but are you fu**ing high???

See the writing on the wall my man! Simmons ain't coming back, the best time to trade him is long gone. Who are you thinking is gonna come thats better??? You sound delusional!

Simmons can rot at home without pay. It’s as simple as that.

You don’t let players with long term max contracts dictate their own terms for their refusal to participate. Players may get away with this behavior with 1 year left or 2. Not with 4 years left.

In my opinion. When Simmons money situation starts to get tight. Guy spends a ton of money. He will break and forced to show up.

This CJ trade offer will always be on the table. So why the rush?

Portland is also wasting lillard prime. So who is the more desperate team? They aren’t gonna to go anywhere in playoffs either. So the line in the sand is drawn.

Only way I see any type of trade being done is if embiid goes down with season ending injury. Than Simmons will be traded. Cause embiid situation is the one who moves the sixers needle. Not adding CJ and subtracting Simmons.

Prettty positive Simmons is being paid right now. He has a mental health clause in his contract.

There are several articles saying this if you search on google. Heres one: https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/sports-news/if-ben-simmons-doesnt-play-for-the-sixers-what-happens-to-the-110-million-remaining-on-his-contract/

[DusterBuster]

Ben Simmons for a guy who doesnt shoot jumpers is one of the most entertaining players in the nba. Sixers I believe have led nba in attendance once Ben Simmons arrived. Hes exciting, hes box office.

If Im Portland,Sac,OKC,SA etc I would have given up the goods for Ben last summer. Portland for instance you now have Dame + Simmons pretty exciting right? Well if they dont mesh you keep Simmons(25 y.o) 3x all-star and move Lillard for pieces to fit around Ben Simmons.

Ben Simmons is a franchise player and most likely the reason he wants out of Philly is because he has to take a backseat to Embiid.

Looking back in hindsight, I kinda wish Portland would have just paid the asking price Morey suggested with all those picks in addition to CJ if that was a serious offer he would have suggested. It was an overpay, but w/e... picks can be recouped. With the Blazers now looking pretty shaky, I'm sure that's reinvigorated Morey's belief he can still get Lillard for Simmons... even if that belief seems to be misguided.

For what it's worth (literally next to nothing), Ben Simmons has been liking all the posts about Lillard wanting to play with him in Portland on social media.

[Scalabrine]

Then the Sixers will keep Simmons for 4 years, as Morey has said, and Simmons will keep losing money. No problemo.

Simmons and Maxey for Lillard is doable, maybe.

But Simmons leaving the Sixers without Dame in return? Highly unlikely, unless the other team is fleeced of its first round picks and pick swaps for the next 3-5 years. We ain't desperate and are patient folk

No problemo, in having invested 30mil of your cap per season to a guy that doesn't even suit up? For the next 4 seasons?
Do you wanna tell Embiid that?

Also, you don't get Lillard for Simmons. Lillard is a borderline top10 player. Simmons isn't anywhere close to that.
You will get McCollum, some picks and a good youngster, you will say thank you very much, you will improve as a team, Embiid will relax and Portland will be better as well.
Everybody happy and life will go on.

They don’t want cj. It will have to be cj plus Powell plus picks for starters.

Cj doesn’t move the needle

Simmons can sit at home for next 4 years and not get paid That’s fine. He can’t make up the mental illness forever. Or take retirement buyout with insurance company like Chris Bosh So Simmons still will get paid. He just will never playe basketball again if he keeps claiming mental illness

Okay Mr. Morey, which pieces would be acceptable to trade Ben Simmons for?

[kuclas]

[instagram][/instagram]

What do the Sixers get in the trade then?

Are you REALLY trying to argue that adding McCollum, one of Nance/Covington and a 1st rounder for someone who REFUSES TO PLAY FOR YOU, is not benefitting you? I'm sorry, but are you fu**ing high???

See the writing on the wall my man! Simmons ain't coming back, the best time to trade him is long gone. Who are you thinking is gonna come thats better??? You sound delusional!

Simmons can rot at home without pay. It’s as simple as that.

You don’t let players with long term max contracts dictate their own terms for their refusal to participate. Players may get away with this behavior with 1 year left or 2. Not with 4 years left.

In my opinion. When Simmons money situation starts to get tight. Guy spends a ton of money. He will break and forced to show up.

This CJ trade offer will always be on the table. So why the rush?

Portland is also wasting lillard prime. So who is the more desperate team? They aren’t gonna to go anywhere in playoffs either. So the line in the sand is drawn.

Only way I see any type of trade being done is if embiid goes down with season ending injury. Than Simmons will be traded. Cause embiid situation is the one who moves the sixers needle. Not adding CJ and subtracting Simmons.

Prettty positive Simmons is being paid right now. He has a mental health clause in his contract.

There are several articles saying this if you search on google. Heres one: https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/sports-news/if-ben-simmons-doesnt-play-for-the-sixers-what-happens-to-the-110-million-remaining-on-his-contract/

He also been fined 2-3 million already.

There is only so much mental clause he can claim

If it goes on for more than 12 months. Sixers can use the same clause Chris Bosh (blood clot) and get Simmons excluded from salary cap

Simmons can still get paid. He just won’t be able to play in the nba with any other team. It will be career ending for Simmons if he wants to continue the mental clause game for long term. And sixers Will get insurance money to pay out Simmons. Win win for sixers. Get Simmons off the salary cap. Simmons never plays again

The way he spends money. He’s gonna to go he broke in 6-7 years without a second contract. It’s not like he’s got a ton of sponsorship lined up either.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-chris-bosh-2017060-story.html

[DusterBuster]

No problemo, in having invested 30mil of your cap per season to a guy that doesn't even suit up? For the next 4 seasons?
Do you wanna tell Embiid that?

Also, you don't get Lillard for Simmons. Lillard is a borderline top10 player. Simmons isn't anywhere close to that.
You will get McCollum, some picks and a good youngster, you will say thank you very much, you will improve as a team, Embiid will relax and Portland will be better as well.
Everybody happy and life will go on.

They don’t want cj. It will have to be cj plus Powell plus picks for starters.

Cj doesn’t move the needle

Simmons can sit at home for next 4 years and not get paid That’s fine. He can’t make up the mental illness forever. Or take retirement buyout with insurance company like Chris Bosh So Simmons still will get paid. He just will never playe basketball again if he keeps claiming mental illness

Okay Mr. Morey, which pieces would be acceptable to trade Ben Simmons for?

Unfortunately, I do think Sixer fans probably are pretty close to relaying Morey's current thought process. The Blazers struggling into December is definitely what he was hoping for and he got a few extra gifts from Portland having so much front-office drama. So I think his belief that Lillard will shake loose on the trade market this summer is pretty high. I think that belief is wrong since Dame is making it very clear he's unhappy with the play of the team but not unhappy in Portland or with the organization and that any "drama" is being overhyped and overplayed in the national media for clicks.

But regardless, it's clear the Sixers probably have their sights set higher than the price Portland is willing to pay at the moment and I don't see that impasse changing anytime soon. Morey seems content to wait it out, Portland isn't going to rush into a Dame trade until absolutely necessary, and if that does happen, Simmons won't want to goto Portland without him... so don't see how both sides ever come to an agreement tbh.

[DusterBuster]

[instagram][/instagram]

Simmons can rot at home without pay. It’s as simple as that.

You don’t let players with long term max contracts dictate their own terms for their refusal to participate. Players may get away with this behavior with 1 year left or 2. Not with 4 years left.

In my opinion. When Simmons money situation starts to get tight. Guy spends a ton of money. He will break and forced to show up.

This CJ trade offer will always be on the table. So why the rush?

Portland is also wasting lillard prime. So who is the more desperate team? They aren’t gonna to go anywhere in playoffs either. So the line in the sand is drawn.

Only way I see any type of trade being done is if embiid goes down with season ending injury. Than Simmons will be traded. Cause embiid situation is the one who moves the sixers needle. Not adding CJ and subtracting Simmons.

Prettty positive Simmons is being paid right now. He has a mental health clause in his contract.

There are several articles saying this if you search on google. Heres one: https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/sports-news/if-ben-simmons-doesnt-play-for-the-sixers-what-happens-to-the-110-million-remaining-on-his-contract/

He also been fined 2-3 million already.

There is only so much mental clause he can claim

If it goes on for more than 12 months. Sixers can use the same clause Chris Bosh (blood clot) and get Simmons excluded from salary cap

Simmons can still get paid. He just won’t be able to play in the nba with any other team. It will be career ending for Simmons if he wants to continue the mental clause game for long term. And sixers Will get insurance money to pay out Simmons. Win win for sixers. Get Simmons off the salary cap. Simmons never plays again

The way he spends money. He’s gonna to go he broke in 6-7 years without a second contract. It’s not like he’s got a ton of sponsorship lined up either.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-chris-bosh-2017060-story.html

He can always just go play overseas in China or Australia and be just fine. He wouldn't go destitute in even the worst case scenario for his NBA career.

[kuclas]

[instagram][/instagram]

Prettty positive Simmons is being paid right now. He has a mental health clause in his contract.

There are several articles saying this if you search on google. Heres one: https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/sports-news/if-ben-simmons-doesnt-play-for-the-sixers-what-happens-to-the-110-million-remaining-on-his-contract/

He also been fined 2-3 million already.

There is only so much mental clause he can claim

If it goes on for more than 12 months. Sixers can use the same clause Chris Bosh (blood clot) and get Simmons excluded from salary cap

Simmons can still get paid. He just won’t be able to play in the nba with any other team. It will be career ending for Simmons if he wants to continue the mental clause game for long term. And sixers Will get insurance money to pay out Simmons. Win win for sixers. Get Simmons off the salary cap. Simmons never plays again

The way he spends money. He’s gonna to go he broke in 6-7 years without a second contract. It’s not like he’s got a ton of sponsorship lined up either.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-chris-bosh-2017060-story.html

He can always just go play overseas in China or Australia and be just fine. He wouldn't go destitute in even the worst case scenario for his NBA career.

Insurance company making the payments will have something to say about Simmons playing anywhere in the world.

[DusterBuster]

[instagram][/instagram]


He also been fined 2-3 million already.

There is only so much mental clause he can claim

If it goes on for more than 12 months. Sixers can use the same clause Chris Bosh (blood clot) and get Simmons excluded from salary cap

Simmons can still get paid. He just won’t be able to play in the nba with any other team. It will be career ending for Simmons if he wants to continue the mental clause game for long term. And sixers Will get insurance money to pay out Simmons. Win win for sixers. Get Simmons off the salary cap. Simmons never plays again

The way he spends money. He’s gonna to go he broke in 6-7 years without a second contract. It’s not like he’s got a ton of sponsorship lined up either.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-chris-bosh-2017060-story.html

He can always just go play overseas in China or Australia and be just fine. He wouldn't go destitute in even the worst case scenario for his NBA career.

Insurance company making the payments will have something to say about Simmons playing anywhere in the world.

Not sure they’d have much say in what happens overseas, but I’m no expert in the contract details and I’d reckon neither are you.

[kuclas]

They don’t want cj. It will have to be cj plus Powell plus picks for starters.

Cj doesn’t move the needle

Simmons can sit at home for next 4 years and not get paid That’s fine. He can’t make up the mental illness forever. Or take retirement buyout with insurance company like Chris Bosh So Simmons still will get paid. He just will never playe basketball again if he keeps claiming mental illness

Okay Mr. Morey, which pieces would be acceptable to trade Ben Simmons for?

Unfortunately, I do think Sixer fans probably are pretty close to relaying Morey's current thought process. The Blazers struggling into December is definitely what he was hoping for and he got a few extra gifts from Portland having so much front-office drama. So I think his belief that Lillard will shake loose on the trade market this summer is pretty high. I think that belief is wrong since Dame is making it very clear he's unhappy with the play of the team but not unhappy in Portland or with the organization and that any "drama" is being overhyped and overplayed in the national media for clicks.

But regardless, it's clear the Sixers probably have their sights set higher than the price Portland is willing to pay at the moment and I don't see that impasse changing anytime soon. Morey seems content to wait it out, Portland isn't going to rush into a Dame trade until absolutely necessary, and if that does happen, Simmons won't want to goto Portland without him... so don't see how both sides ever come to an agreement tbh.

A lot of sixers fans really don’t want Lillard and his contract. Age and length of contract come in mind

I’d rather have some outside shooting/defense in barnes plus Haliburton (who can handle the point guard duties). And Haliburton isn’t off to a great start either. Fox I’m just not enthusiastic about but he’s a point guard.

Bottom line is sixers need someone who is a point guard in return and a secondary scorer.

The real sixers issue is Tobias Harris dribbling too much. But that’s something sixers maybe able to address in off seaosn when he has 2 years left in his bloated contract.

[DusterBuster]

Okay Mr. Morey, which pieces would be acceptable to trade Ben Simmons for?

Unfortunately, I do think Sixer fans probably are pretty close to relaying Morey's current thought process. The Blazers struggling into December is definitely what he was hoping for and he got a few extra gifts from Portland having so much front-office drama. So I think his belief that Lillard will shake loose on the trade market this summer is pretty high. I think that belief is wrong since Dame is making it very clear he's unhappy with the play of the team but not unhappy in Portland or with the organization and that any "drama" is being overhyped and overplayed in the national media for clicks.

But regardless, it's clear the Sixers probably have their sights set higher than the price Portland is willing to pay at the moment and I don't see that impasse changing anytime soon. Morey seems content to wait it out, Portland isn't going to rush into a Dame trade until absolutely necessary, and if that does happen, Simmons won't want to goto Portland without him... so don't see how both sides ever come to an agreement tbh.

A lot of sixers fans really don’t want Lillard and his contract. Age and length of contract come in mind

I’d rather have some outside shooting/defense in barnes plus Haliburton (who can handle the point guard duties). And Haliburton isn’t off to a great start either. Fox I’m just not enthusiastic about but he’s a point guard.

Bottom line is sixers need someone who is a point guard in return and a secondary scorer.

The real sixers issue is Tobias Harris dribbling too much. But that’s something sixers maybe able to address in off seaosn when he has 2 years left in his bloated contract.

Morey clearly wants a star and would pay for it. That’s fine for Sixer fans to have that opinion, but Morey has made no secret about who he wants.

[Pointgod]

If Dame wants to compete for a championship, Denver is the only relevant team on that list. Surely Portland wouldn't ship him off to Minny or Sactown after all he's done for them?

So the only team that could trade for Dame is conveniently the same team with a GM that needs a move to save his job…. Sure sure

I'm not claiming that, I just think Philly has the best package to offer.

-Denver: I could see them offering Murray. That's the start of a competitive offer. Western Conference and division rivals. Maybe.
-New York: Has little outside of picks. Nope.
-Minnesota: Won't part with Edwards or KAT. Western Conference. Nope.
-Sacramento: Maybe you could get Fox? Does Lillard want to be there? Not better than what he has in Portland. Western Conference. Maybe at best.
-Washington: Has nothing outside of Beal. Nope.
-Boston: Could offer Jaylen, but is Tatum + Dame a contender? Maybe.

Here’s the problem that Sixers fans and Morey don’t realize. You’re not trading the Ben Simmons from last year, you’re not even trading the Ben Simmons who’s coming off a baffling playoff series with the Hawks. Every one on earth knows Ben wants off the Sixers. He has some public mental health and character issues. So tell me what’s the value of Ben Simmons to a rebuilding team? I’d argue it’s not that high. So like everyone else the Sixers will have to pony up their young players and multiple picks to get a player the caliber of Lillard. Every team that I’ve listed has multiple picks as well, young players etc that they can trade. When Portland trades Lillard, it will be centred around picks not another allstar.

I think the best trade for them is Jamal Murray and multiple picks that allows Denver to keep their window slightly open. Murray takes a gap year and Portland gets a lottery pick. It’s the team willing to give up the most picks and assets that will get Lillard. The problem is we know Morey still thinks Simmons has the same value from a year ago and I doubt he’s going to pony up the picks needed to get it done.

[ProcessDoctor]

So the only team that could trade for Dame is conveniently the same team with a GM that needs a move to save his job…. Sure sure

I'm not claiming that, I just think Philly has the best package to offer.

-Denver: I could see them offering Murray. That's the start of a competitive offer. Western Conference and division rivals. Maybe.
-New York: Has little outside of picks. Nope.
-Minnesota: Won't part with Edwards or KAT. Western Conference. Nope.
-Sacramento: Maybe you could get Fox? Does Lillard want to be there? Not better than what he has in Portland. Western Conference. Maybe at best.
-Washington: Has nothing outside of Beal. Nope.
-Boston: Could offer Jaylen, but is Tatum + Dame a contender? Maybe.

Here’s the problem that Sixers fans and Morey don’t realize. You’re not trading the Ben Simmons from last year, you’re not even trading the Ben Simmons who’s coming off a baffling playoff series with the Hawks. Every one on earth knows Ben wants off the Sixers. He has some public mental health and character issues. So tell me what’s the value of Ben Simmons to a rebuilding team? I’d argue it’s not that high. So like everyone else the Sixers will have to pony up their young players and multiple picks to get a player the caliber of Lillard. Every team that I’ve listed has multiple picks as well, young players etc that they can trade. When Portland trades Lillard, it will be centred around picks not another allstar.

I think the best trade for them is Jamal Murray and multiple picks that allows Denver to keep their window slightly open. Murray takes a gap year and Portland gets a lottery pick. It’s the team willing to give up the most picks and assets that will get Lillard. The problem is we know Morey still thinks Simmons has the same value from a year ago and I doubt he’s going to pony up the picks needed to get it done.

Man, I feel so enlightened. The Blazers ought to take RJ Barrett plus picks and call it a day. He might be a very good role player one day. Now that Simmons has opted to sit out, he sucks at basketball and has lower value than him.

Real talk: If you think Portland is going to trade Dame to a division rival, then we’re basically speaking in different languages and this whole convo is futile.

[Myth]

I'm not claiming that, I just think Philly has the best package to offer.

-Denver: I could see them offering Murray. That's the start of a competitive offer. Western Conference and division rivals. Maybe.
-New York: Has little outside of picks. Nope.
-Minnesota: Won't part with Edwards or KAT. Western Conference. Nope.
-Sacramento: Maybe you could get Fox? Does Lillard want to be there? Not better than what he has in Portland. Western Conference. Maybe at best.
-Washington: Has nothing outside of Beal. Nope.
-Boston: Could offer Jaylen, but is Tatum + Dame a contender? Maybe.

Here’s the problem that Sixers fans and Morey don’t realize. You’re not trading the Ben Simmons from last year, you’re not even trading the Ben Simmons who’s coming off a baffling playoff series with the Hawks. Every one on earth knows Ben wants off the Sixers. He has some public mental health and character issues. So tell me what’s the value of Ben Simmons to a rebuilding team? I’d argue it’s not that high. So like everyone else the Sixers will have to pony up their young players and multiple picks to get a player the caliber of Lillard. Every team that I’ve listed has multiple picks as well, young players etc that they can trade. When Portland trades Lillard, it will be centred around picks not another allstar.

I think the best trade for them is Jamal Murray and multiple picks that allows Denver to keep their window slightly open. Murray takes a gap year and Portland gets a lottery pick. It’s the team willing to give up the most picks and assets that will get Lillard. The problem is we know Morey still thinks Simmons has the same value from a year ago and I doubt he’s going to pony up the picks needed to get it done.

Man, I feel so enlightened. The Blazers ought to take RJ Barrett plus picks and call it a day. He might be a very good role player one day. Now that Simmons has opted to sit out, he sucks at basketball and has lower value than him.

Real talk: If you think Portland is going to trade Dame to a division rival, then we’re basically speaking in different languages and this whole convo is futile.

My problem with trading him too Denver is I worry they will be too good for too long and those picks will suck, but I’m not worried about them being a division rival. Portland fans don’t hate Denver and the teams have a decent history of making trades. I see Portland less willing to play nice with Phili in a Dame trade than with Denver given Morey has made it clear he won’t negotiate in good faith unless it is for Dame even when he wasn’t available, so why should Portland negotiate with him in good faith? I’m not saying they wouldn’t trade Dame there (because they should take whoever offers most if Dame asks out with the exception of the Lakers), but I think they’d rather work with Denver management wise in this scenario, so I wouldn’t rule out Denver.

Also for the record, I would rather take RJ Barrett and picks over Simmons and picks for a rebuilding team, so your sarcastic post is especially strange and unnecessary.

[bebopdeluxe]

Why does Portland bail out Morey by trading Lillard to the Sixers? Morey created this mess and Sixers fans think they’re getting a top 10 player for Simmons? Simmons is not playing. His value is only getting worse. In normal circumstances the Sixers would have to give up Simmons, Maxey and a couple picks for Dame. In the circumstances where Simmons has asked for a trade an hasn’t played in months? It would take Simmons, Maxey, 3 first round picks and 3 pick swaps to get Lillard. The Sixers won’t be the only teams that are interested if Portland is serious in moving Dame.

LOL which team would Philly be bidding against with that offer?

Boston, New York, Denver, Minnesota, Washington, Sacramento are just a couple of teams off the top of my head that would be interested in Dame if he became available. Plus there’s probably 2-3 other dark horse teams that would come out of no where. Sorry but Philly fans are full on delusional thinking that they would get Lillard for Simmons without a significant exchange of assets.

Simmons AND Maxey AND OUR NEXT SIX FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS?

WTF are you smoking, man? Gimme some.

[bebopdeluxe]

They don’t want cj. It will have to be cj plus Powell plus picks for starters.

Cj doesn’t move the needle

Simmons can sit at home for next 4 years and not get paid That’s fine. He can’t make up the mental illness forever. Or take retirement buyout with insurance company like Chris Bosh So Simmons still will get paid. He just will never playe basketball again if he keeps claiming mental illness

Okay Mr. Morey, which pieces would be acceptable to trade Ben Simmons for?

Unfortunately, I do think Sixer fans probably are pretty close to relaying Morey's current thought process. The Blazers struggling into December is definitely what he was hoping for and he got a few extra gifts from Portland having so much front-office drama. So I think his belief that Lillard will shake loose on the trade market this summer is pretty high. I think that belief is wrong since Dame is making it very clear he's unhappy with the play of the team but not unhappy in Portland or with the organization and that any "drama" is being overhyped and overplayed in the national media for clicks.

But regardless, it's clear the Sixers probably have their sights set higher than the price Portland is willing to pay at the moment and I don't see that impasse changing anytime soon. Morey seems content to wait it out, Portland isn't going to rush into a Dame trade until absolutely necessary, and if that does happen, Simmons won't want to goto Portland without him... so don't see how both sides ever come to an agreement tbh.

I don't think Simmons has ANY SAY in where he is traded. NONE.

And after this jabroni holdout, his brand is so trashed right now that to cop a "if they trade me there, I ain't playing" will send it to subterranean levels.

I gotta tell you, the GB is in OUTSTANDING FORM on this subject! Simmons PLUS Maxey PLUS Thybulle PLUS ALL THE PICKS for a guy who wants $55 million for his age 36 season? You think Josh Harris (founder of one of the best private equity funds around) is going to sign off on a deal like THAT?

I will take Dejounte Murray for Simmons every day that ends on y over these ridiculous fantasy deals from the Portland fans on these threads.

[DroseReturnChi]

Why does Portland bail out Morey by trading Lillard to the Sixers? Morey created this mess and Sixers fans think they’re getting a top 10 player for Simmons? Simmons is not playing. His value is only getting worse. In normal circumstances the Sixers would have to give up Simmons, Maxey and a couple picks for Dame. In the circumstances where Simmons has asked for a trade an hasn’t played in months? It would take Simmons, Maxey, 3 first round picks and 3 pick swaps to get Lillard. The Sixers won’t be the only teams that are interested if Portland is serious in moving Dame.

LOL which team would Philly be bidding against with that offer?

Boston, New York, Denver, Minnesota, Washington, Sacramento are just a couple of teams off the top of my head that would be interested in Dame if he became available. Plus there’s probably 2-3 other dark horse teams that would come out of no where. Sorry but Philly fans are full on delusional thinking that they would get Lillard for Simmons without a significant exchange of assets.

i think your delusional not philly fans. morey is a top 5 gm i rather trust him than a random guy on the internet. and dame prefers philly more than any other team so a star interested in a team matters than wolves.

[CS707]

He can always just go play overseas in China or Australia and be just fine. He wouldn't go destitute in even the worst case scenario for his NBA career.

Insurance company making the payments will have something to say about Simmons playing anywhere in the world.

Not sure they’d have much say in what happens overseas, but I’m no expert in the contract details and I’d reckon neither are you.

I'm certainly no expert but I do think leagues are bound to honor each other's contracts which is why you see the buyout clauses with overseas players coming to the NBA. My understanding is that players must be cleared by FIBA before they sign with other countries specifically for this reason. With regard to insurance payments it's no different than any other disability claim. The entire point of the payout is based on the premise you can no longer do the job anymore.

[kuclas]

To be honest. It makes no sense for Simmons to go to Portland unless Portland is in a rebuild. And if it’s a rebuild. Portland won’t want Simmons for the same reasons Houston didn’t want Simmons.

It’s because Simmons in the regular season and first round playoffs is a winning player. So a tanking team like Portland if the unload lillard (and I assume CJ and than nurkic follow) really does not want to win any games.

Look at okc. They wanted to tank last season. But two extra games won by players (front offices tank, players playing the game don’t tank). Okc won two extra games they shouldn’t have won and that cost then to drift from the 2nd draft position to the 6th draft slot.

So when you are tanking. You really want to tank bad. And Simmons playing can potentially cost you valuable draft spots if he wins them 2-3 extra games. It’s just the sad state how tanking works. I mean okc really tried to tank. The shut does SGA. They shut down Al horford. It’s as bad of a tank job as you can get.

But they got they got played 4D by the clippers who were trying to avoid the lakers in the playoffs. And “accidentally won the game”. The game was a joke if you watched it. Clippers did everything in their power to lose the game.

https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/lists/thunder-beat-clippers-josh-hall-aleksej-pokusevski-moses-brown/

[Pointgod]

Nurkić was a pouty malcontent before being traded to the Blazers and being taken under Dame's wing, so I get it.

Meanwhile, the Dame/CJ duo has proven it's historically a first round playoff out.

"I'm fine wasting Dame's prime!"
"Yeah, well I'm fine wasting Embiid's prime!"

I get that both fan bases and management teams overvalue their pieces, but it makes sense for some deal to get done.

Simmons for CJ+Little+1st is near perfect salary-wise. Seems like a win-win to me. Blazers cannot afford to overpay for Simmons in case he doesn't work out (Dame can't reach him, he hates the Pacific Northwest, etc.). 76ers get a win-now 20ppg piece in CJ, a prospect that is looking like a solid rotation player in Little, and a future 1st to use/trade/etc.

That said, I'm still fine with some CJ for Tobias trade. Not perfect, but helps balance out both rosters. Better than doing nothing and wondering why neither team is a contender. But then the 76ers likely still need to work the Simmons situation out.

Any rational person would agree with this. The problem is that the Simmons situation is no longer about getting a trade that’s a win win or doing something for the betterment of the team. It’s all about saving Morey’s ego. He boxed himself into a corner that at this point if he trades Simmons for CJ, Little and a 1st, Sixers fans and the media will be relentless because he played hard ball and wasted a bunch of time when he could have gotten a much better deal from any number of teams if he had traded Simmons months ago. This has become about one person trying to save face. The only thing I don’t understand is how he’s managed to convince an entire fan base to go along with it.