NBA rumors: 5 teams that should call Blazers about Damian Lillard trade

4. Philadelphia 76ers

Until Joel Embiid’s knee injury ,the Philadelphia 76ers were cruising in their first-round series against the Washington Wizards. When fully healthy, most wouldn’t give the Atlanta Hawks much of a chance against the Sixers in a seven-game series either. A first-ever conference finals appearance for Embiid, Ben Simmons and company could very well be in order.

However, if — and it’s a big “if” — the 76ers flame out in the playoffs sooner than expected yet again, the questions about Embiid and Simmons’ compatibility will swirl. And even if that’s not the focus (those two have historically been great together, especially this year with shooters flanking them), people will still see Philly as being one piece away from being legit contenders.

That’s where a guy like Damian Lillard would come in. The problem? Good luck convincing Portland to accept any trade offer that isn’t centered around Simmons, which would admittedly be an intriguing one-for-one swap. Tobias Harris’ contract matches well enough, but such an offer would have to come with at least three of Philadelphia’s first-round draft picks attached (plus future pick swaps, all of which is further complicated by the 2025 first-rounder they owe to the Oklahoma City Thunder).

That makes this a dicey proposition, and the Simmons aspect probably makes it a non-starter, but Lillard, Embiid, Doc Rivers and shooters would make for a pretty compelling championship core. If the Sixers prove to be a step behind the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks in the East, team president Daryl Morey has to at least consider this route.