Damian Lillard Trade Odds: Where Sixers Stand on Monday

If Damian Lillard doesn't play with the Blazers or the Heat this season, what are the Sixers' odds of being the team he competes with?

The Portland Trail Blazers once again seem motivated to move on from Damian Lillard. While the star guard requested a trade back in July, talks quickly simmered down as the Blazers felt no rush to cut Lillard loose without getting an ideal package in return for their seven-time All-Star.

Lillard’s overwhelming desire to play for the Miami Heat didn’t help either. Before the NBA stepped in, Lillard’s camp was rumored to be doing all they could to encourage non-Heat suitors to keep their offers off the table.

Months went by, and talks went nearly silent. With camp around the corner, the Blazers seem more motivated than ever to put the Lillard saga to rest.

Throughout the last week, a spotlight has been on Lillard as several teams have reportedly entered the chat with the Blazers. Several reports indicated that the Chicago Bulls and the Toronto Raptors have garnered interest in the star guard. While the Miami Heat haven’t had any discussions with the Blazers as of late, one phone call could change all of that.

The betting world saw a shift this week, with the Lillard trade rumors heating up. And according to BetOnline, the Sixers have some favorable odds to become Lillard’s next team if he is indeed traded and not moved to South Beach to join the Heat.

Looking at the Sixers’ Odds

Currently, BetOnline sets Philadelphia’s odds at 3/1. Only one team is ahead of them, and it happens to be the Boston Celtics, whose odds are at 2/1.

The real shocker here is that the Raptors and the Bulls trail Philadelphia. Ranked third, the Raptors are set at 4/1 odds to grab Lillard. The Bulls are four teams behind Toronto, with odds set at 16/1.

Thoughts on the Situation

The Sixers, at this moment, are not considered contenders to land Lillard. Although Philadelphia has had interest in Lillard in the past during their Ben Simmons saga, their interest in the All-Star guard was short-lived this time around.

Could the Sixers make a competitive offer for Lillard? Absolutely! But the cost is likely too steep, and it begins with Portland’s hypothetical primary target, Tyrese Maxey.

Portland’s level of interest in Maxey isn’t well known, but the assumption around the league is that the Blazers would certainly expect to land the emerging young star in the sweepstakes for Lillard. Since the Sixers are sold on Maxey’s long-term value, they haven’t been willing to put the 22-year-old on the table for the 33-year-old guard.

The Sixers’ odds of landing Lillard in this scenario might be high but understand that there is a steep drop from the Blazers and the Heat.

Lillard might be fed up with Portland’s offseason decisions to take more of a rebuilding approach rather than having a strict buyers mentality, but he’s still the team’s franchise player until further notice. After spending the last 11 years as the face of the Blazers, it’s hard to believe Lillard will mail it in, despite his desires to be moved.

As for Miami, I find it difficult to believe Lillard won’t get his way in the end. With the notion that Lillard could land in a new situation already disgruntled because he didn’t get his way, it might force Portland to accept that teams aren’t giving up their best offers in a one-on-one deal, putting the Blazers in a position where they accept a multi-team deal, re-routing Lillard to Miami.

Anything can happen in the coming days or even weeks, but it seems the Lillard saga could wrap up sooner rather than later. 

How it ends remains a significant question mark.