Now the league is buzzing with the potential pairing of Damian Lillard and Joel Embiid. Damian Lillard would be the perfect point guard for Embiid as he can space the floor, unlike Simmons who is often counterproductive because he clogs the lane and gives Embiid less room to operate in the paint.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Damian Lillard’s sweepstakes and Ben Simmons’ situation in Philadelphia. He said:

After the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia fanbase was fed up with Ben Simmons. Joel Embiid and head coach Doc Rivers both subtly blamed him for the second-round exit and now the fanbase wants him gone. The front office is torn between getting rid of Ben Simmons now and fulfilling what they set out to do or be patient and see if someone like Lillard is available.

Regardless of one playoff series, Ben Simmons is still a three-time All-Star in his four years. He was runner up for DPOY last season and is one of the best passers in the game. The Philadelphia 76ers might want to part ways with Ben Simmons but aren’t going to do so unless they get someone worthy in return, preferrably Damian Lillard.

The situation with Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons

As mentioned earlier, Ben Simmons’ 2021 ECSF series was not one worth remembering. He was atrocious in seven straight fourth quarters and infamously passed over a wide open dunk/layup because he was afraid to get fouled. His fear of the charity stripe was so painfully evident that he was being overly passive and getting rid of the ball so that the Hawks cannot foul him. Nate McMillan deployed the “Hack-a-Simmons” strategy and it wrecked his confidence.

Ben Simmons shot 33% from the free-throw line which is the worst efficiency for a single series in NBA playoff history. Yes, worse than Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain.

LA Lakers legend and arguably the greatest point guard of all time, Magic Johnson appeared on the KJZ show on ESPN and spoke about Ben Simmons and his future with the Philadelphia 76ers. He said:

According to Shams Charania, Ben Simmons was nearly traded last season itself as talks developed during the James Harden sweepstakes. However, the Rockets sent him to the Brooklyn Nets instead and Simmons stuck around. But reports suggest that the 76ers have been wanting to find a suitable trade partner for him for a while now.

Meanwhile, on the west coast, the Portland Trail Blazers refuse to surround Damian Lillard with elite talent despite the sharpshooter putting up an MVP-worthy campaign season after season. He is clearly fed up with the front office not making the right moves and yet again, this offseason has been underwhelming for the Oregon franchise.

Another possibility that NBA analysts have considered is that Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons will start next season with their respective franchises but will get traded before the NBA trade deadline.

Only time will tell if this proposed trade between Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons goes through or not but until then all eyes are on the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers.

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