NBA Buzz: Sixers contacted Blazers about a Damian Lillard trade

Throughout the NBA offseason, there has been an ongoing “mystery team” involved in the never-ending trade discussions with the Portland Trailblazers regarding Damian Lillard.

Listen, I know the “Dame Time in Philly” conversations have jumped the shark over the past few months, but given the Sixers past interest in Lillard, it seemed worthwhile to take another look at the possibility.

Is there a slight chance that they could be the team alluded to by ESPN’s Marc Spears when he disclosed that a franchise other than the Miami Heat is pursuing the seven-time All-star?

Sixers Contacted Blazers to discuss Damian Lillard trade

The Sixers contacted the Blazers to discuss a Damian Lillard trade, per @KyleNeubeck

“Here’s what I can tell you that I know for sure that the Sixers have certainly talked to the Blazers about Dame at different points throughout this offseason.” pic.twitter.com/F2ASNKU7Af

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 23, 2023

I highly doubt it. Every time Damian Lillard is brought up in connection with the Philadelphia 76ers, there’s another name that’s mentioned immediately. That would be Tyrese Maxey, which the Sixers time and time again, have expressed zero interest in trading.

So, while the chances of Dame coming to Philly are slim, it does seem interesting to hear the Sixers involved in all these trade talks. All it takes is for one of these dominoes to fall, perhaps leading to a Harden or even Tobias trade.

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Aside from the Miami Heat being Dame’s preferred and most likely destination, there are a few other teams in the Eastern Conference the Sixers would be competing with. It’s been reported that the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls have expressed some interest in the Blazers’ guard.

Kyle Nuebeck of PHLY mentioned some details on what he’s heard about the Bulls interest in a deal.

“If/maybe when they trade [Zach] Lavine, they would want a star-level return, young players, picks… What I have heard in the last few days as part of a multi-team deal just to see if they can get into the Dame Lillard sweepstakes.”

With all this mind, it doesn’t seem like anything has really changed. Dame still wants to go to South Beach, and the Blazers want to find the best deal possible.

If you’re looking at someone else that is more realistic for the Sixers’ to land, check-in on Buddy Hield.

The Pacers could enter trade talks with the Blazers, Heat and Suns as a 4th team, per @GeraldBourguet

Buddy Hield is a name to watch pic.twitter.com/mIcAsLu2eL

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 22, 2023

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