Philadelphia 76ers were not among the teams that made a huge splash during the free agency period, despite their disappointing ending to their title hopes last season.
Since the Hawks ousted them in the second round of the playoffs, the 76ers are looking into ways to improve in several ways, including searching a trade partner for Ben Simmons and bringing a superstar player alongside Joel Embiid.
According to Derek Bodner of The Athletic, ‘the goal is less to trade Ben Simmons and more to acquire Damian Lillard’. Lillard could look to move from Portland, if the Blazers do not improve dramatically this year.
(via clutchpoints):
“Since the Sixers’ season ended the team has similarly kept a watchful eye on the status of Lillard in Portland. From the Sixers’ perspective, it would be fair to say the goal is less to trade Ben Simmons and more to acquire Damian Lillard,” Bodner wrote.
So far, the Blazers were limited to small-time deals including role-player signings like Cody Zeller, Tony Snell and Ben McLemore. They also brought back Norman Powell on a lucrative five-year deal.
Lillard is still committed to Portland; however the Sixers are expected to become an active buyer, if the Blazers’ superstar asks out.
