Anfernee Simons‘ breakout season is leading to speculation that the Trail Blazers may try to trade CJ McCollum or Norman Powell, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Portland entered the season with plans to be a contender, but injuries and some disappointing performances have left the team in a tight race for a play-in spot. With Damian Lillard sidelined after abdominal surgery, the Blazers may opt to unload some of their assets and take advantage of a high draft pick going into next season.
There have been whispers throughout the league that McCollum might be available, though Fischer wonders how much of a return he’ll provide considering that he’s 30 years old, is in the middle of a down season, and has been out of action for six weeks after suffering a collapsed lung. He also has two full years left on his contract at $33.3MM and $35.8MM.
Powell, who signed a five-year, $90MM extension during the offseason, seems like a more surprising name to be included in trade talks. However, about a dozen teams wanted to acquire him before he went to Portland at last season’s deadline and Fischer found that many league executives see his contract as valuable.
There’s a belief that Powell wouldn’t mind being traded again, as sources tell Fischer that there were “several snags” in his contract negotiations with the Blazers. One of the teams he considered in free agency was the Pelicans, according to Fischer, who notes that New Orleans is seeking to upgrade to improve its chances of reaching the play-in tournament.
Fischer shares a few more trade rumors from around the league:
- Little has changed on the Ben Simmons trade front since the offseason, as Sixers ownership, the front office, coach Doc Rivers, and star center Joel Embiid are all united in the stance that the team needs to get an elite player in return. Fischer states that Philadelphia is willing to wait for someone along the lines of Lillard, Bradley Beal, James Harden or Jaylen Brown to become available. The Sixers have discussed three-team packages with the Kings, Pacers and Timberwolves, but none of those teams can offer a star that Philadelphia sees as equal value for Simmons.
- The Pacers are seeking multiple first-round picks in exchange for center Myles Turner. The Mavericks, Timberwolves, Knicks, Kings, Hornets and Trail Blazers have all expressed interest, and several league executives told Fischer that the Raptors might be a team to watch. The Cavaliers and Knicks have asked about Caris LeVert, but Indiana also wants multiple first-rounders for him. The Pacers have gauged the trade value of Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and Torrey Craig too, Fischer adds.
- The Hawks are willing to consider a major upheaval before the deadline, with a rival assistant GM telling Fischer that he believes everyone except Trae Young and Clint Capela are available. Atlanta appears willing to move De’Andre Hunter for veteran help, and there may be a market for Danilo Gallinari, who only has a $5MM guarantee next season on his $20MM contract.
- The Celtics will try to trade Dennis Schröder, who is unlikely to be re-signed next season because of tax considerations. The Knicks, Cavaliers and Mavericks are all possible destinations. Boston has also targeted Suns center Jalen Smith, who will be a free agent after Phoenix declined his third-year option.
Embiid trying to be Lebron hahaha, you’re not getting an elite player bud.
Friend, jojo is top 5 in the league and if memory serves correct the petulant child Simmons seems to Not want to play with the top big man in the game not vice versa.
I love Embiid’s game and he is elite but Jokic is still the top big man in the league.
Embiid is far better than Jokic! He is a better scorer, better ball handler , just as good of a rebounder/passer, but where the BIG difference lies is on Defense. Embiid is the 1st or 2nd best big in the NBA defensively. Jokic is probably in the 20/25 range, among starters. I have no doubt that Embiid will win an NBA finals, I highly doubt Jokic will win 1
Two decisions have been made
1 Simmons will not play for 76ers again
2. 76ers are targeting superstars or unavailable all stars
Top tier reporters can solve this problem
Embiid is a much better person and player than LeBron, and Joel didn’t go to management and ask for players, he was asked in a press conference about a trade for Simmons, and he said “it doesn’t make sense to trade him if you are not going to get a player with equal talent in return’.. Joel isn’t calling his agent to reach out to his other agent’s clients to find a way to get them on his team. The Lakers will be lucky to win more than 1 series,maybe not even that, in the playoffs. The 76ers could have Simmons sit, and still win the East!
In your dreams they might, without Ben… PHI is just a sad miserable team… just hoping Embiid jumps ship as well!
You should try watching a game or 2- You would know that the 76ers would have gone 8-2, rather than 2-8 when Joel had Covid, which would make them the #1 seed in the East. They have beaten CHI 2x, BRK,WASH, BOS, CHA 2x,ATL 2x,TOR,DET 2x and OrL 2x. They Lost once to Mil, and 2x to NY when Joel 1st went out with covid
Tell me which teams are better than the 76ers ? Not current record, but come playoff time. Starters Maxey,1 Curry, 2 Thybulle,3 Harris,4 Embiid 5 with combo guard S.Milton, 2/3 Korkmaz, whose getting much better at putting it on the floor, and plays good D now, 3 D.Green who is streaky, but still has it, 4 G.Niang,excellent signing 5 A.Drummond even better signing and even kids PF P.Reed, C-C.Bassey,wing I.Joe, and combo guard Charlie Brown Jr.all putting in some good games when called upon. 1st RD pick Jaden Springer is even tearing up the G-league now!
Aside from MIL,BRK,MIA, PHX, GS, MEM, UTAH, there isn’t another team with a chance to beat them in a 7 game series.
And t/b/h, BRK is so bad defensively, they can’t win a 7 game series against any of the above teams. MiL would need Giannis to be better than Embiid over 7 games, which I don’t think he can be. Holiday/Maxey would probably be a wash, slight advantage to Holiday for experience,but Maxey with stamina, speed and athleticism. Thybulle will lock down K.Middleton, as thybulle may be DPOY. Seth Curry will destroy Grayson Allen,and Tobias Harris could score at will on Portis, who won’t score as long as he isn’t left open on a corner 3.
Miami would probably be the toughest matchuo in the East, but I think Embiid would have either Niang or Drummond playing many more minutes to keep MIA of the off. glass. 76ers win in 6 or 7 though.
76ers match-up well vs
GS for some reason-but Steph can get hot enough to bear anyone, so that’s a coin toss, and PHX/76ers could go either way. Utah would get trounced, as Gobert would be fouled out by the 3rd quarter, and “Spydah” isn’t the superstar he thinks he is. So I’d say GS, PHX, and MIA and MAYBE MIL would have a chance to beat the 76ers, and that’s without any Simmons in the lineup/traded for a fair package
A. Simons has been playing really well, he deserves to get starter minutes and touches every night. He has played 33mpg or more 6 times, he averages 21ppg with good efficiency and POR is 4-2 those games.
Portland has to move at least two of Nurkic-Powel-CJ.
CJ and Covington for Westbrook?
Salary dump a little
No. Covington is an expiring $13m contract. He can be used to acquire an actual asset or it would be more beneficial to Portland to let that expire and get that money off the books rather than bring in a $47m contract for next year. Its not a salary dump when you are bringing in more than sending out.
THIS TEAM IS A DUMP
I ran all the Sonics flags.
Now I’m out-ish (wavering)
This “BLOOD OF OUR BLOOD” can make us relevant again.
Schröder to the Cavs would be interesting, I also wonder if Torrey Craig would fit well on the Bulls
Jalen Smith would be interesting.
I’m glad they’ve added Jaylen Brown to that list on names. Lillard and Harden are both old. Beal I’d be very happy with but he’s probably more expensive that Brown.
Simmons is nonsensical for a C’s team that already has no shooting. Only way would be a 3 team deal and I really don’t see it. The Jays can work together with better shooting around them.
CJ McCollum and Robert Covington for Kevin Love and Colin Sexton?
Garland CJ Covington Mobley and Allen would make a nice starting side. Rubio Rondo Okoro Osman Markanen all their for depth.
CJ gives them a real scoring option and some experience and Covington a nice defender and floor spacer for your bigs.
For Portland, Kevin Love returns home which is something he’s wanted for awhile. Sexton could be a move for the future. He’s obviously injured now and needs an extension but according to reports we was seeking 100/5, 20 mil a season I thought was very reasonable and that was pre injury.
For Portland aswell, RoCo and Nurkic are both leaving for nothing in FA you must move them now if you want something in return. CJ’s deal is expensive and as a whole your team isn’t playing well and your going to be lucky to make the play in tournament as a 10th seed. You need a rebuild. Adding Sexton could be a great addition to a rebuild. Him and Simons could be a solid duo of the future
Portland is scared shitless about Dame. Nobody of value is being traded without a starter coming back.
If Nurkic or Roco get traded, I’m predicting a sign-and-trade to lock in the contracts and get the trade exception.
I doubt they sign and trade, they either leave now in a trade or walk in FA. Why would they bother with sign and trades
CJ’s value has dropped dramatically and RoCo doesn’t really have much value at all.
Kevin Love has boost his value and Sexton still has value aswell. Both could be starters
Portland is scared shitless about Dame. Nobody of value is being traded without a starter coming back.
#FreeBenSimmons
Knicks are not going after a wing. After trade for Cam. But Turner would surely be interesting. I’d still like to look into Grant. I believe Knicks are not done yet.
The only thing that bothers me about Simmons mess is that 76ers started paying him again, and there are so many morons that think Simmons should be getting paid for pouting. Every single person with a job should be offended by what Simmons is doing.