By all accounts, Blazers superstar Damian Lillard is off-limits in trade discussions this summer. And while Portland is still trying to build a contender around Dame, there is a sense that a breakup will happen sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the 76ers are biding their time in hopes that Dame will finally ask out and give them a chance to pair him with Embiid. Speaking on NBA Today this week, league insider Brian Windhorst explained that Philly is on Dame watch over these next few days and that their refusal to extend Tyrese Maxey may be a move to try and acquire Lillard via trade this summer.
“[Ramona Shelburne] a short time ago reported that the Sixers were not going to extend Tyrese Maxey this summer,” said Windy. “Want to know why? Because they might trade him. He would be a potential piece in a Damian Lillard trade.”
.@WindhorstESPN thinks the Sixers could add Tyrese Maxey in a potential trade for Dame Lillard 🤔 pic.twitter.com/mZoBz9mD2v
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 30, 2023
The Sixers are in limbo right now amid the news of James Harden’s inevitable departure. After opting into his deal, Philly is expected to trade him with hopes of getting some kind of decent return. Even still, nobody is sure who they will get in return for the All-Star guard.
What we do know is that Philly has their eyes on Lillard, just like the Heat, Clippers, and plenty of other teams around the association.
Will Damian Lillard Leave The Trail Blazers?
In a meeting with the Blazers this week, Damian Lillard did not issue the trade request everyone was expecting, but it doesn’t mean he’s for sure staying put. If Portland fails to make a significant move over the next few weeks, there is a world where Dame forces his hand.
“[Damian Lillard’s] value is a lot greater to me than where he’s at now,” said Kevin Garnett. “It’s that prideful, ‘I’ve done this work, I made this house, I built it.’ It’s time to leave this house and go build another one.”
Until the day comes when he asks out (if it ever comes), we can only assume that Dame will stay a Blazer forever. It’s his franchise, after all, and the legacy he’s built there will never be washed away.
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