This season, Joel Embiid is likely to win his first-ever MVP trophy and fans are eager to see if he can win a title to go along with it. But if Embiid and the Sixers fail to get it done this year, we can expect some major roster changes in the offseason.
Could Damian Lillard be a potential target for them? Maybe not, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith wants to see the 76ers try and make it happen, even if costs them James Harden.
“I would go the route of Philadelphia. His loyalty to the city of Portland has been unwavering, and this is the closest that I’ve ever heard him sound to being anything different… but I think Damian Lillard needs to get the hell out of Portland as quickly as he possibly can. To me, outside of Steph Curry, there isn’t a point guard in this league I’d take on my team more so than Damian Lillard. I would take Damian Lillard over James Harden in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t think twice if I was Philly and I can get my hands on Dame and I had to forfeit Harden…”
.@stephenasmith thinks Philly would be a good fit for Damian Lillard 👀 pic.twitter.com/RnNj11DkFj
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 13, 2023
We all know what Damian Lillard brings to the table as a scorer and perimeter shooter. Despite the Blazers’ struggles over the past two seasons, Dame has been dominant with averages of 32.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game on 46% shooting this year.
In Philly, alongside Embiid, Dame would thrive with his exceptional range and Embiid’s mastery on the defensive end. It’s a dream scenario for many 76ers fans, but they’ll have to decide on the future of James Harden before they can begin the pursuit of Lillard.
76ers Wouldn’t Be Crushed If James Harden Signed Elsewhere This Summer
Harden has been solid for Philly since his arrival, but his inconsistency has been frustrating and his recent injury could hold him back for the postseason once again. Despite All-Star numbers, the team wouldn’t feel too bad if Harden jumped ship as a free agent.
“There are some in that organization who would not mind at all if Harden left,” an Eastern Conference executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy. “I don’t think he will, but he could, and even if he doesn’t, he is not going to get a real long deal from the Sixers. He is getting older, you don’t know how much of a commitment you want to make him.”
Picking Lillard over Harden is a no-brainer for any GM, but it remains to be seen if the 76ers will even have that choice in the offseason. For now, all they can hope for is the best as they attempt to go all the way with the personnel they have.
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