Damian Lillard would like to play with Ben Simmons

Lillard intends to give the Trail Blazers organization time to find its next leader of basketball operations. But beyond the front office component, the face of the franchise still wants significant changes to the roster. Multiple sources have told …

Lillard intends to give the Trail Blazers organization time to find its next leader of basketball operations. But beyond the front office component, the face of the franchise still wants significant changes to the roster. Multiple sources have told The Athletic that Lillard would like to play with Philadelphia 76ers three-time All-Star Ben Simmons. The Trail Blazers’ league-worst defense would instantly improve, and sharing a backcourt with a non-shooter could work given Lillard’s high-volume usage.

Source: Shams Charania, Sam Amick, Shams Charania and Sam Amick @ The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Lillard wants to play with Simmons, changes to Trail Blazers roster nba.nbcsports.com/2021/12/06/rep… – 11:07 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Neil Olshey is out, but the struggling Trail Blazers still have a Damian Lillard dilemma that will determine their uncertain future. The latest in this superstar situation, with @Shams Charania, at @TheAthletic
https://t.co/k2wNvUl0Kj pic.twitter.com/p9p56Xld6f – 9:32 AM

Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
What?? Lillard literally told the outlet that published this that he wanted Billups as head coach.
https://t.co/p0p8p4wwDh pic.twitter.com/6m9SGHEpxn – 9:31 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
C.J. McCollum obviously isn’t Damian Lillard, but 20.6 points on 39.3% 3-point shooting on 8.2 attempts per game isn’t bad either. The guy is a proven scorer in this league. – 9:27 AM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
The similarities in Dame/Brad career paths is scary, man. – 9:21 AM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Personal opinion:
C.J. McCollum, a first-round pick and Nassir Little or Anfernee Simons is more than enough in trade for Ben Simmons.
Philadelphia can’t overplay their hand here. That’s a good package and vaults them near the top of the East. – 9:21 AM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
A couple of years ago I was working on an article about NBA Trade Machines (got squashed). I asked people from different sites about the most popular teams used, players & the most popular combinations of trades.
Easily most used was some version of Ben Simmons for CJ McCollum. – 9:15 AM
Trey Kerby @treykerby
Thursday: “There’s something fishy going on with Lillard in Portland.”
Friday: “They should fire Neil Olshey and trade CJ McCollum today.”
Also Friday: Olshey fired.
Monday: Lillard would like to play with Ben Simmons.
Subscribe to @NoDunksInc: youtube.com/c/nodunksinc – 9:13 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Inside Portland’s firing of longtime GM Neil Olshey and what comes next with the Trail Blazers and franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard — at @TheAthletic with @Sam Amick: theathletic.com/2999270/2021/1… – 9:01 AM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
The next Blazers GM really can’t be content with tinkering around the main three players, nor should they be. Put Nurkic and McCollum out there or eventually Dame might put HIMSELF on the table. ziller.substack.com/p/tinkering-is… – 8:32 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Would/could Heat enter a Damian Lillard derby? Latest “Ask Ira” at sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… plus more. – 8:12 AM
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Nassir Little (ankle) upgraded to questionable for Monday’s game against the LA Clippers. Anfernee Simons (ankle) and Damian Lillard (abdomen) are still out. CJ McCollum (rib contusion) is probable. – 9:37 PM
Jay Allen @PDXjay
#Blazers Injury Report:
CJ McCollum (rib contusion) is probable; Nassir Little (left ankle sprain) is questionable; Anfernee Simons (right ankle sprain) and Damian Lillard (abdominal tendinopathy – injury management) are out for tomorrow’s game vs. the Clippers. – 6:59 PM
Jamie Hudson @JamieHudson_
Blazers Injury Report:
CJ McCollum (rib contusion) is probable.
Nassir Little (left ankle sprain) is questionable.
Anfernee Simons (right ankle sprain) and Damian Lillard (abdominal tendinopathy – injury management) are out for Monday’s game vs. LA Clippers. – 6:55 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
CJ McCollum (rib contusion) is probable; F Nassir Little (left ankle sprain) is questionable and Anfernee Simons (right ankle sprain) Damian Lillard (abdominal tendinopathy) are out for Monday’s game vs. Clippers. – 6:55 PM
Damian Lillard @Dame_Lillard
Wtf are these play calls by the Raiders man – 5:00 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Dame and CJ are magic on offense but tragic on defense. Now is the time for the Blazers to break them up. #TheVoidNBA pic.twitter.com/D4r8Z2SqgR – 1:04 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
No surprise that Notre Dame (11-1) is 5th. Ohio State (10-2) is 6th as they slowly unveil the @CFBPlayoff . Cincinnati (13-0) is 4th…. – 12:23 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
So assuming this has to be:
1. Alabama
2. Michigan
3. Georgia
4. Cincinnati
5. Notre Dame
6. Baylor – 11:55 AM
The Ringer @ringernba
“To me, the big move is blatantly obvious: It’s doing what it takes to go get Ben Simmons by building a significant trade package around CJ McCollum.” —@Kevin O’Connor
#TheVoidNBA pic.twitter.com/RTZFLu9Snf – 5:23 PM

More on this storyline

Sources say the Trail Blazers, under Olshey, discussed the framework of a trade for Simmons, moving CJ McCollum, a first-round draft pick and a young player such as Nassir Little or Anfernee Simons to Philadelphia. The 76ers, sources said, at one point asked the Trail Blazers for McCollum and multiple draft picks and multiple draft swaps, which Portland rejected. Olshey maintained significant confidence in the roster he constructed. Now, it’s unclear if there’s a deal to be had with the 76ers. But with Olshey out, who among chair Jody Allen, vice chair Bert Kolde and Cronin would be the one making the call on a Simmons trade or any acquisition designed to alleviate Lillard’s concerns? -via The Athletic / December 6, 2021