NBA Trade Rumors: As we wait for a Damian Lillard trade to come across the wire, we explore four blockbuster deals that would alter the NBA landscape.
While there is still plenty that remains unresolved when it comes to Damian Lillard, there are a few things that we know heading into the final week before the start of training camp. For one, the Portland Trail Blazers would probably like to trade Lillard before the start of camp. That means a trade is likely coming at some point in the next few days.
Second, we know that the Blazers are open to trading Lillard to a team that may not be considered a preferred destination for him. That’s the part that makes the next few days extremely unpredictable.
However, assuming Lillard is going to be traded over the next few days, let’s take a look at four blockbuster trades centered around Lillard that would completely alter the landscape of the NBA.
Damian Lillard traded to the Philadelphia 76ers
If the Philadephia 76ers were willing to go all-in for Damian Lillard, they should be considered a legitimate threat to win the supposed bidding war. Tyrese Maxey is a wildcard in this possibility. The big question is whether the Blazers would be open to Maxey even though they have a loaded backcourt with Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons.
Portland is reportedly not interested in Tyler Herro because of their already loaded backcourt, but would they make the exception for Maxey, who would be an intriguing running mate next to Henderson? After all, there’s a reported league-wide belief that Maxey’s ceiling is higher than Herro’s.
There’s no question that Lillard on the Sixers next to Joel Embiid would completely change the way we look at the Eastern Conference.