Blazers’ Damian Lillard Linked to Multiple 76ers Rivals

As Damian Lillard trade rumors pick up steam again, multiple Sixers rivals have been linked to the All-Star.

There’s been a mystery team reportedly involved in the never-ending Damian Lillard sweepstakes.

Considering the Philadelphia 76ers’ previous interest in Lillard, it was worth exploring whether or not they could be the team that ESPN’s Marc Spears was talking about when he revealed that a team other than the Miami Heat are looking to snag the seven-time All-Star. 

By now, we know it would cost Tyrese Maxey and more for the 76ers to land Lillard. That hasn’t been a scenario the Sixers have been willing to look into.

The chances of Lillard heading to the City of Brotherly Love are slim to none at this time. However, two other Sixers rivals have been linked to the star guard.

Beyond the Miami Heat, Who’s Interested?

Even though Lillard wants to head to South Beach, it’s been reported that the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls have expressed interest in the Blazers’ guard.

“I’ve heard that it’s not just one team, that multiple teams in the East [called for Dame], the Raptors being one of them,” Action Network’s Matt Moore said, according to Blazers Edge. “That’s the thing nobody is really saying, but everyone around the league knows the Raptors were amongst the teams. They’ve kicked the tires.”

Then, Kyle Neubeck of PHLY tossed in some details about what he’s heard surrounding Chicago.

“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 is that it looks like they might be trying to move LaVine as part of a multi-team deal just to see if they can get into the Dame Lillard sweepstakes,” Neubeck explained.

Spears has yet to offer clarity on the mystery team he threw out there, but two things remain evident as the Lillard drama begins to come into the spotlight again.

1. The Blazers are clearly sending him to one of the Sixers’ conference contenders
2. The Miami Heat still have the upper hand

Apparently, the Heat have been daring the Blazers to go out and find a better package for Dame. It seems Portland has been doing that, but none of the rumored suitors have swept the Blazers off their feet. 

At the end of the day, the previous talks about Lillard’s mindset likely creeps into the heads of executives when they are talking shop with the Blazers.

Would they really be willing to give up highly valuable players and picks for a player who has his heart elsewhere? That’s something the Raptors and the Bulls have to think long and hard about. 

Dark horse candidates always have a chance to swoop in and snag a prospect, just like the Cleveland Cavaliers did to the New York Knicks last offseason with Donovan Mitchell. But Damian Lillard’s camp worked hard earlier in the offseason to make it clear he wants to play for Miami only. Therefore, he’s still favored to land in South Beach over the mystery suitors.