Sixers Linked to Damian Lillard After Trade Request
The Portland Trail Blazers are finally reaching a point they’ve avoided for the last few seasons. On Saturday afternoon, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report mentioned that Portland’s All-Star guard Damian Lillard has requested a trade.
Although Lillard has been a rumored trade candidate over the last few seasons, the star guard has consistently mentioned that he remains loyal to the Blazers.
However, Lillard applied pressure on the Blazers heading into the 2023 offseason after Portland missed the playoffs once again. At this point in Lillard’s career, he wants to compete for an NBA title. The Blazers have struggled to put ideal pieces around him in recent seasons.
While Lillard initially remained patient with the Blazers heading into the offseason, he made it clear that a non-playoff roster is not something he’s willing playing with in 2023-2024.
Lillard waited to see what the Blazers would do in the 2023 NBA Draft, along with closely watching their moves at the start of free agency. With the first day of free agency in the rearview, it appears Lillard isn’t sold.
As soon as the reports of a Lillard trade request started flying, several teams were linked to the star veteran. Among those rumored to be interested are the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Sixers’ competition at the moment are the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lillard prefers Miami, who just made an improbable run to the 2023 NBA Finals.
Just because the Sixers aren’t favored to land Lillard, doesn’t mean they won’t try. Prior to landing James Harden two seasons ago, the Sixers were willing to pursue Lillard if he asked out of Portland. A trade request never came.
With Harden desiring a move, the Sixers could use another star ball handler, and Lillard fits the description. According to Wojnarowski, the Blazers are in search of young players and assets. The Sixers have an emerging star in Tyrese Maxey, but they aren’t interested in moving on from their former first-rounder, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
The Sixers might pursue Lillard, joining Brooklyn, Miami, and potentially others, but it would be a tough task to land him at this time.
