Damian Lillard is allegedly days away from requesting a trade from the Blazers. Is now the time for the Sixers to strike a deal?
According to Henry Abbott of TrueHoop.com, the Blazers star is set to “request a trade in the coming days”. At long last the moment Sixers fans have been waiting for is nigh. An opportunity to land a top star in today’s game has presented itself to Philadelphia and it’s time for Daryl Morey to deliver.
There’s been plenty of speculation that Lillard could eventually request a trade but the prevailing thought was that the team would wait until next season to deal him if at all. If Abbott’s sources are correct, that timeline will be pushed up by Lillard himself.
Damian Lillard has been at the top of every Sixers fan’s wish list and for good reason too. He’s a top three point guard in the entire NBA and an offensive machine on the perimeter, something the Sixers haven’t had since Allen Iverson.
Pairing Lillard with Joel Embiid would be a dream come true for Sixers fans and would launch the team into title contention. The prevailing question is, what is the cost?
Acquiring an elite talent in their prime (and also secured for years to come) is no cheap feat. Fans cannot expect the Blazers to move their star for Ben Simmons and not much else. In addition to Simmons, the deal will likely require both Matisse Thybulle and Tyrese Maxey. After that, multiple draft picks will likely be involved.
If it sounds like a lot that’s because it is but do not think for one moment that the deal would not be worth it. The ability to add a player of Lillard’s caliber does not come often. The Sixers need to strike now, no matter the cost.
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