What could the Philadelphia 76ers possibly gain from the Portland Trail Blazers firing Neil Olshey?
The Portland Trail Blazers made a bit of a splash on Friday when they announced that they were firing general manager Neil Olshey. After being on the job since 2012, Olshey was fired due to an investigation that he created a toxic workplace.
What does this possibly mean now for the Philadelphia 76ers? Well, it means a couple of things. The biggest factor in all of this remains Blazers star Damian Lillard who has remained fiercely loyal to the Blazers, but maybe this is his breaking point.
Portland has not gotten off to a good start as they are just 11-12 and they were just blown out at home by 31 points to the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs. The team’s defense has been tough to watch and the Olshey firing could be the icing on the cake for Lillard who desperately wants to win.
This would be a pretty big change for the star point guard as he has not been one to ask for a trade. Lillard has expressed frustrations, but he has remained loyal to the organization. However, this could possibly mean that he wants out and that is where Daryl Morey and the Sixers would swoop in as they have had him at the top of their wish list in a possible Ben Simmons trade.
Another possibility is the acquisition of C.J. McCollum. While he is no Lillard, McCollum brings what the Sixers need, and that is shot creation from the perimeter. He is averaging 20.4 points and shooting 39.6% from deep on 8.1 attempts per game.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has recently expressed concerns about the team being too small at the 1, 2, and 3 positions on the floor.
Per Jason Quick of The Athletic’s story:
“We give up size every night, man,” Billups said. “We are a small group, especially at 1, 2 and 3. They are all pretty much 6-3. But you have to find a way to just make multiple efforts defensively.”
Maybe a move of McCollum for Simmons in a multi-team deal of some sorts would work out. Billups gets the size he wants for his team’s new defensive scheme and the Sixers get a guy who helps out Embiid on the offensive end of the floor.
Joe Cronin will replace Olshey as the interim GM in Portland, per Yahoo!’s Chris Haynes, but they have their eyes on Chicago Bulls GM Marc Eversley and New York Knicks GM Scott Perry to replace Olshey in the long term.
Eversley is an interesting name due to his connections with the Sixers before heading over to take Chicago’s job. He was the assistant GM with Philadelphia before moving on to the Bulls and that could play a factor in any possible Portland-Philadelphia move. This is a situation that many should keep their eye on as the season continues.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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