Damian Lillard would be a good fit for the Sixers but not if he doesnt want to play here - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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A Dame Lillard-Joel Embiid tandem would make the 76ers formidable NBA title contenders.

Lillard would be the guy the Sixers thought they were getting in James Harden ... just better.

The Portland Trail Blazers point guard has deep shooting range and is a bucket waiting to happen. Turning 33 on July 15, Lillard is getting older and is far from a great defender. But despite that, he would be a great fit for the Sixers. And he and Embiid would be lethal together.

» READ MORE: James Harden picks up $35.6 million option with Sixers, could soon be traded

The Sixers would have a premier guard and a premier big guy, so Lillard to the Sixers would work out well.

And Sixers fans became hopeful Saturday morning when Lillard’s representation informed the Blazers that he wanted to be traded.

Shortly afterward, the Sixers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers were identified as teams that will have interest in exploring trades for him.

However, a source said Lillard is not interested in playing for the Sixers. Multiple reports say his preference is to play for the Heat.

That’s where things get complicated for the Sixers.

They most likely would have to include rising standout Tyrese Maxey in a two-team deal for Lillard.

But why would they offer their best young talent or future draft picks for someone who doesn’t want to play for them?

Teams aren’t going to give up a lot for a player who doesn’t want to be with them. The player could make things difficult for his new team shortly after his arrival, forcing another trade. As a result, the team essentially would surrender a lot for what could basically become a short-term rental. That being said, one would think that Portland would do well by Lillard and trade him to where he wants to go.

Despite that, Lillard is a better fit than Harden, who opted into the $35.6 million contract for next season. Harden and the Sixers are working together to find a new team for the 10-time All-Star. So there wouldn’t be any hard feelings if he was moved in a Lillard deal.

Lillard has four years and $216.2 million remaining on his contract. Meanwhile, Embiid’s four-year, $213.2-million contract extension kicks in this upcoming season.

» READ MORE: James Harden deal for dummies: What opting in means, what the Sixers can expect in trade, and more

Struggling to remain healthy, you never know how much longer Embiid is going to play. So getting Lillard to help facilitate the Sixers’ win-now approach makes sense. With that duo, the team would have a three-year window to capture an NBA title.

In addition to his unlimited shooting range, Lillard doesn’t dominate the ball as much as Harden does.

Lillard is coming off arguably the best campaign of his 11-year career, averaging 32.2 points on 46.3% shooting — including 37.1 % from beyond the arc. He also averaged 7.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. He scored 71 points against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 26, 60 versus the Utah Jazz on Jan. 25, and 50 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 12. He scored 40 or more points 15 times.

The Heat are prepared to offer the Blazers a package headlined around Tyler Herro, the 2022 sixth man of the year. Bleacher Report is reporting that Duncan Robinson and draft picks also could be included in the deal.

Lillard reportedly prefers that Caleb Martin and All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo remain in Miami if he’s traded there. A Heat-Blazers deal for Lillard would have to include a third team, according to reports.

However, a package that includes Maxey and Harden probably would be the best deal the Sixers could offer for Lillard in a straight-up trade. And that’s the tough part.

In Maxey, the Sixers would be giving up a 22-year-old up-and-coming player for a star who played in a combined 87 games the past two seasons.

» READ MORE: Sixers set to sign Pat Beverley to one-year, minimum salary deal

So, like Embiid, Lillard is winding down. And it’s hard to say how many more seasons he has left to play at an elite level.

But the Sixers’ best chance to win is now.

Yet, Maxey is the best asset the Sixers have to offer. And you can’t justify trading away your best young talent for a player who’s hell-bent on playing for the Heat.

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