NBA Trade Rumors: Damian Lillard Wants To Play Wth Ben Simmons, What Portland Offered Philadelphia

The offseason speculation that Damian Lillard might soon ask for a trade has not gone away. In light of the Portland Trail Blazers’ poor record and the recent decision to fire general manager Neil Olshey, there continue to be questions about Lillard’s NBA future.

Lillard has not asked to be traded, and the Blazers are not fielding offers for their best player. But rumors suggest that the point guard is growing frustrated with the team as it sits outside the early playoff picture.

Through 24 games, the Blazers are 11-13 and the No. 10 seed in the West. Portland has lost five of its last six games and owns the worst defense in the entire league. There appear to be growing tensions between the Blazers and first-year head coach Chauncey Billups, according to The Athletic.

Lillard had wanted the Blazers to strongly consider Jason Kidd or a candidate with head coaching experience when the team parted ways with Terry Stotts, The Athletic reports. Portland also failed to make significant changes to the roster, which Lillard was reportedly in favor of the front office doing.

For months, Portland has been viewed as the most logical destination for Ben Simmons. The Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers discussed a trade for Simmons that would include CJ McCollum, a young player such as Nassir Little or Anfernee Simons and a first-round draft pick, The Athletic reports. Philadelphia asked for multiple draft picks and draft swaps, which Portland was unwilling to trade for Simmons.

Sources have told The Athletic that Lillard would like to play with Simmons. The back-to-back All-NBA First Team selection hasn’t played this season as he seeks a trade from Philadelphia.

Lillard’s offensive struggles have played a role in Portland’s losing record. The 31-year-old is averaging 21.5 points on 39.7% shooting from the field. It’s the worst field-goal percentage of Lillard’s career, and the first time in seven years that he’s scoring fewer than 25.1 points per game.

Lillard has been dealing with an abdominal injury that will keep him off the court for at least 10 days.

On Twitter, Lillard addressed the report of growing tensions between Billups and Portland players, seemingly dismissing it as false. The six-time All-Star hasn’t been shy about refuting reports. In the summer, Lillard said a report that he would try to force his way out of Portland was untrue.

The Blazers have made seven straight playoff appearances. Only once did the team reach the conference finals, and Portland has been eliminated in the first round in four of the last five seasons.

Lillard’s four-year, $176.265 million contract extension kicked in at the start of the 2021-2022 season.