A Potential Damian Lillard Trade to the Philadelphia 76ers

By: Layth Dahman

The Blazers have started the season performing below their expectations and are currently the 9th seed with a record 11-15. The Blazers don't have many ways for improvement since they don't have much cap space to work with, in free agency, and not many trading assets to surround their stars. The only way they can improve as currently constructed with keeping Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum is through the draft, which hasn't been working the past few years. They are not good enough to make a deep playoff run but will be a perennial playoff team when fully healthy, making their picks too low to draft a high-potential player with star or superstar potential. It will be hard for the Blazers to be active in free agency. After the season, the Blazers only have 6 players under contract with a total payroll of $107,992,239 while the projected cap space is at $115.7 million. They will have to fill roster spots with very minimal cap space. They can bring back the same team using bird rights to pass the salary cap and re-sign Jusuf Nurkic, Robert Covington, Anfernee Simons but they haven't proven they can win with this team and will be paying luxury tax if they pass the payroll of $140,000,000 which is the projected luxury tax threshold for the 2022-2023 season. They will most likely exceed this payroll if they bring back their upcoming free agents.

The best way for the Blazers to improve the team is to explore Damian Lillard and maximize a return by trading him at his highest value and retooling the roster to build around CJ McCollum. The Blazers should try to trade Damian Lillard to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, a 2023 first-round draft pick, and a 2027 top 5 protected first-round draft pick. The Blazers will be in a more ideal position of being able to compete while having assets for the future.?

Ben Simmons struggled last season and had the worst season of his career. He had the lowest averages of his career. Since his rookie year, Simmons has been regressing year by year. Last season Simmons averaged 14.3 points per game, 6.9 assists per game, and 7.2 rebounds per game. He shot an efficient 55.7 percent from the field. In the playoffs, Simmons struggled even more and averaged an abysmal 11.9 points per game, 8.8 assists per game, and 7.9 rebounds per game. He shot an efficient 62.1 percent from the field, but his lack of aggressiveness and his passive mentality hurt the 76ers in the playoffs. Teams were able to expose his weakness of scoring and would foul him intentionally to send him to the free-throw line which interrupted the 76ers flow on the offensive end.?The problem with Simmons is that he lacks aggressiveness and assertiveness when he is playing. This season Simmons only attempted 10 field goals per game which is the lowest of his career and a 2.2 drop-off from the 2017-2018 season, a 2.1 drop-off from the 2018-2019 season, and a 1.3 drop-off from the 2019-2020 season. Simmons has been becoming less aggressive and attempting fewer shots year by year. Simmons is at his best when he is able to attack the rim using his size and score in the post at a higher rate against smaller defenders which made him a better scorer in the half-court offense even though he struggles scoring in half-court offenses at times. The Sixers also misutilized Simmons. Simmons is better utilized as a power forward and a small ball center rather than playing point guard. He should be used off the ball as the roll man in pick and roll. His playmaking skills also allow him to run dribble handoffs and fake dribble handoffs and attack the rim. The Blazers have capable three-point shooters, and they will be able to utilize Simmons in this role. If the Blazers are able to unlock Simmons's aggressiveness and get him to be more aggressive, he has superstar potential.

On the defensive end, Simmons will fill a massive need for the Blazers that they have been desperate and in search of for years. The Blazers have been struggling this season on the defensive end. They have one of the worst defenses in the league and have been allowing opponents to score 112.5 points per 100 possessions which ranks 28th. Opponents are able to blow by their defense and get high percentage shots from inside, mid-range, and three-point range with little to no resistance. Last year in the playoffs, the Blazers’ defense is what held them back from getting out of the first round even though the Denver Nuggets had significant injuries. The Blazers in the playoffs allowed 122.9 points per 100 possessions which ranked 14th. By getting Simmons, the Blazers get a potential defensive player of the year candidate. He would give the Blazers an element that they never had. Simmons is an elite defender and one of the best defenders in the league. He has length and defensive lateral quickness allowing him to force opponents into tough contested shots. He is versatile giving him the ability to guard multiple positions. He is extremely physical and strong on the defensive end and can wear out an opposing team's best player. Simmons is good at also getting around screens when forced to guard the pick and roll ball handler. He has good defensive positioning when coming around screens and doesn't get stuck. If he gets stuck at a screen, he is able to recover which reduces the amount of high percentage shots for a pick and roll ball handler. It also lowers the chance that a big is forced to switch into an unfavorable matchup on the pick and roll ball handler. He can also create offense off his defense. He can get steals and deflections which spark fast break opportunities for easy points in transition. He will be a key piece for the Trail Blazers in that if an opponent blows by the perimeter defenders, he can be a help defender or take pressure off them in guarding the opposing team's best player. He also comes up with key switches and is a great help defender.?Last season, Simmons had a defensive rating of 106 and the 76ers allowed one fewer point per 100 possessions when Simmons was on the floor. When opponents were guarded by Simmons, they only shot a field goal percentage of 40.9 percent and were inefficient from three with a three-point percentage of 32.7 percent. Simmons also ranked 5th in deflections per game with 3.5 and 3rd in total deflections with 202.

Tyrese Maxey is a future star. He has potential as a scorer. This season he is starting to break out as a player averaging 16.4 points per game, 4.6 assists per game, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting an efficient 46.6 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range. He can score in many ways. He is aggressive attacking the rim and doesn't shy away from contact. He has a quick and explosive first step when attacking the rim allowing him to blow by opponents. This season Maxey has scored 8.5 points per game on drives which ranks 11th.?He can create his own shot from inside, mid-range, and three-point range. This season when creating his shot off the dribble, Maxey is shooting an efficient 48.4 percent from two-point range and 36.8 percent from three. He can also come around screens as the pick and roll ball handler, create his own shot and score off floaters. He is one of the quickest and most explosive players at coming around screens which creates separation for a high-quality shot. Maxey's quickness allows a big to switch onto him, which creates a favorable matchup for Maxey. Maxey has also been a playmaker this season. He can create easy looks for his teammates out of pick and roll and dribble penetration. He is a willing passer and is able to find the open man.

Matisse Thybulle will give a defensive specialist to the Blazers. The Blazers need to significantly improve their defense. Thybulle is a strong physical defender and can be another look the Blazers can throw at an opposing team's best players. He has length with a wingspan of 6 feet 11 inches. He has defensive lateral quickness and can force opponents into tough contested shots. Opponents shoot low percentage tough contested shots against Thybulle. They are shooting an inefficient field goal percentage of 33.9 percent. He is physical in fighting through screens. He is a high IQ defender when coming around screens. He knows situations and when he should go over screens and under screens. If he does get stuck on a screen, he has the quickness to recover and force the pick and roll ball handler in a lower percentage tough contested shot. Thybulle is able to create offense off his defense. He is able to get steals and deflections which allows his team to push in transition and get easy fast-break opportunities. This season Thybulle has 3.2 deflections per game which ranks 9th and 64 total deflections which ranks 20th in a limited 25 minutes per game. Thybulle would be an offensive liability for the Blazers but will significantly improve the defense of the Blazers.

The Blazers will also get a 2023 first-round draft pick and a 2027 top 5 protected first-round draft pick which will be valuable draft picks. These picks will be in the period when the 76ers are becoming an older team.

By doing this trade the Blazers get three players while giving up Lillard. The most significant way and the only way to improve is by trading Lillard for a large package. The Blazers will have Simmons locked up under contract until 2025 while also getting Maxey on his rookie deal until 2024 and Thybulle on his rookie deal until 2023. With the Trail Blazers not being a free agent destination the only way for them to improve is through the draft or trade. They will be able to build around these players for a long time. Also, when the Thybulle and Maxey rookie deals expire they will be restricted free agents allowing the Trail Blazers to match any deal for them should they reach free agency.

?The Philadelphia 76ers would do this trade to get a superstar. Simmons is a disgruntled star with superstar potential but with him currently sitting out waiting for a trade it has dropped his trade value and the 76ers have lost leverage in a trade. For the 76ers to get a superstar of Lillard's caliber they will have to attach Maxey, Thybulle, and multiple first-round picks along with Simmons in the deal. By doing this trade, the 76ers will have a formidable big three of Damian Lillard, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid for the next 3 years. Lillard is under contract for at least the next three years which will force the 76ers a hefty price in trade. Having this big three will give the 76ers a legitimate chance at a title. It will also make the 76ers a more attractive buy-out destination for players to join with them having a real shot at a championship.

Lillard would give the 76ers elite scoring. This season he has struggled, has looked unmotivated at times, and has battled injuries compared to his previous seasons. By being on a contender, Lillard will get a much-needed change of scenery and will be the most motivated in his career knowing he will have the best chance he has had in his career at a championship.

Last season Lillard averaged 28.8 points per game, 7.5 assists per game, and 4.2 rebounds per game. He shot an efficient field goal percentage of 45.1 percent from the field and an efficient 39.1 percent from three.?He can score in many ways and is one of the most dynamic scorers in the league. He can create his own shot from inside, mid-range, and three-point range. He is an elite shot-maker and can make tough contested shots. He can also come around screens and make tough contested jump shots. Lillard has never in his career played with a top center like Joel Embiid.?Lillard and Embiid would have a two-man game in pick and rolls. Embiid will be able to set the screen and roll to the rim or Lillard will be able to come around the screen and make shots. They will also be able to run pick and pop from mid-range and three-point range with Embiid being able to shoot.?Lillard would have more open looks by playing with Embiid when coming around screens because of Embiid's ability to set screens. Lillard will also space the floor for Embiid. Lillard last season attempted 10.5 three-pointers per game. Lillard has deep range on threes which forces opponents to guard him deep which opens the lane for Lillard and the paint for Embiid to operate in. The combination of Lillard, Embiid, and the 76ers having many shot makers will reduce double teams for each other. Lillard and Embiid have been number one options in their career and have been double-teamed throughout their careers which will give them the most high-quality shots they have seen in their careers. Lillard will give the 76ers a clutch go-to scorer. The 76ers will have three go-to scorers late in games who are Damian Lillard, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid. Lillard, Harris, and Embiid are able to take and make big tough shots late in games. Lillard is an elite playmaker. He can create easy high percentage shots for his teammates off dribble penetration with his ability to attack the rim and put pressure on defenses allowing opposing defenses to collapse. He is also able to be a playmaker off the pick and roll and set up his bigs with easy looks inside. When double-teamed, Lillard is able to find the open man.?

The 76ers will take a significant hit defensively but will be one of the best offensive teams. Lillard is a defensive liability. He struggles to get through screens and doesn't give much effort to get through screens. When opponents set screens on Lillard, he is in an upright position making him get stuck at screens.

Lillard won't be as bad a defender on the 76ers as he was on the Blazers. The 76ers have Danny Green, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid who can play defense at a high enough level to make up for Lillard's defensive weakness.

Embiid is an elite defender and one of the best defenders in the league. He can alter and block shots at the rim when Lillard's matchup blows by him. Embiid is also a versatile defender. He can guard multiple positions and switch onto the pick and roll ball handler forcing him into a tough contested shot.?Embiid has defensive quickness for his size making him able to keep up with guards when forced to switch. Embiid is also able to get back into transition and limit easy fastbreak opportunities for opposing teams. This season Embiid has a defensive rating of 104.7 and the 76ers are a significantly better defensive team when Embiid is on the floor. When Embiid is on the floor they allow 4.3 fewer points per 100 possessions.

Harris is able to switch onto the pick and roll ball-handler when screens are set on Lillard. With Harris being able to switch it will limit the amount of shots Lillard's matchup gets at the rim.?He is quick on rotations and is able to force opponents into tough contested shots when they come around screens. When guarding isolations, Harris has defensive lateral quickness and defensive positioning which limits the number of high-percentage looks opposing teams' best players are able to get. Harris is also defensive sound when contesting shots. He is quick on closeouts on the three-point line and is able to contest shots without fouling.

Danny Green isn't the same quick defender that he was in his prime, but he is a high IQ experienced defender. He has good defensive positioning and is physical with his matchup. He can also get steals and deflections on the defensive end. This season Green has a defensive 104.5 and the 76ers are a better team when he is on the floor. The 76ers allow 4.5 fewer points per 100 possessions when Green is on the floor.

The Portland Trail Blazers should do this trade, but it has been reported by Adrian Wojnarowski that Lillard is off limit in trade talks. The Blazers will become a much more suited and balanced team in the playoffs by doing this trade. They also will be able to retool the roster and become a younger team while being a more competitive team in the playoffs. They will have more depth with a starting lineup of Tyrese Maxey, CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, Ben Simmons, and Jusuf Nurki? while having Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Covington, Nassir Little, and Larry Nance, Jr. off the bench.?