Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: 7 players Daryl Morey could trade Ben Simmons for

By David Esser

PORTLAND, OREGON - JUNE 03: CJ McCollum #3 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers react in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on June 03, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JUNE 03: CJ McCollum #3 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers react in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on June 03, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers Damian Lillard
Jun 3, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) in the second half during game six in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. The Denver Nuggets won the game 126-115. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is probably worthy of having his name included alongside the likes of Curry and Doncic, in that “unobtainable” sphere, but I’m going to mention him on a list like this solely due to the direction that the Portland Trail Blazers as a franchise have been heading over the past few seasons. They’ve continuously tried to run things back around the same core group of players, and simply put it hasn’t worked. If Lillard gets truly fed up this offseason, and publicly expresses a desire to be traded, the Sixers would be one of the first teams to call.

Lillard is fantastic, and would represent an immediate upgrade at the point guard position. He averaged 28.8 and 7.5 this past season, shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc.

All of the other players on this list are debatably worse than Simmons in a vacuum, but Lillard is just flat out better. Pairing him alongside Embiid would create one of the best duos in the NBA, immediately re-opening Philadelphia’s championship window.

The tricky part with Lillard of course would be acquiring him. We’re talking Simmons, Thybulle, Maxey, and multiple first-round picks. A similar package that the team offered for Harden earlier this past season. A worthy price to pay, but an expensive one nevertheless.