ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst believes Damian Lillard would be in the Philadelphia 76ers now if Tyrese Maxey were available.
Lillard has filed for a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, who want to acquire Maxey. However, the Sixers have made Maxey untouchable in trade negotiations.
Lillard wants to be traded to the Miami Heat. However, the Blazers do not have to grant Lillard’s trade request, as he does not have a no-trade clause in his contract. Portland will focus on getting the best possible return for Lillard.
While the Sixers are interested in trading for Lillard, they won’t be parting ways with Maxey, one of the NBA’s top young players. He averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season while shooting 48.1% from the field, 43.4% from beyond the arc and 84.5% from the free throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Tyrese Maxey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In the 2023 playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, Maxey recorded 20.5 points, 4.8 boards and 2.3 assists per game. The Sixers lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games despite leading 3–2 in the best-of-seven series. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach and replaced by former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse.
Maxey has career averages of 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He was the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft. The Sixers will not sign Maxey to a rookie-scale renewal this summer, so he becomes a restricted free agent in the off-season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Tyrese Maxey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers are currently processing James Harden’s trade request. The former MVP opted for his 2023-24 player option at Philly and is working with the organization on a trade. Harden wants to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
It will be fascinating to see where Lillard and Harden play next season.
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