Earlier in the season, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers were connected in Ben Simmons‘ talks. They ultimately fell apart because it became clear that the Blazers weren’t going to part with Damian Lillard.
However, the Blazers have had one of the more disappointing seasons in the NBA. Despite the fact they had the core of Lillard, CJ McCollum, Robert Covington, and Jusuf Nurkic, the team has a record of 21-33 and 11th in the Western Conference.
The reason why the team has struggled is due to injuries to their main core of guards. It’s clear the pairing of McCollum and Lillard had run its course. As a result, the interim front office in Portland has made two massive moves.
The first sent Norman Powell and Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers. The second sent McCollum, Larry Nance, and Tony Snell. It would appear that the Blazers are in a full rebuild, but Sixers fans shouldn’t be fooled.
Don’t like Portland’s fire sale fool you Sixers’ fans.
From the outside looking in, it appears that the Blazers are hitting the rebuild button. However, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, it’s Portland’s intention to still rebuild around Lillard with young players, draft picks, and cap space to add talent that way.
That’s Portland’s plan so it doesn’t make too much sense for the 76ers to be calling about Lillard’s availability at the trade deadline. While Lillard seems unlikely at the moment for Philly, fans can’t lose all hope.
There’s a chance that based on the moves made between now and the offseason, that it would make Lillard ask out of Porltand if he believes this roster is in for a long-term rebuild. However, for now, Sixers fans can’t get excited about the Blazers’ wholesale of their current roster.