AP Photo/Steve DykesAccording to J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star, the Philadelphia 76ers "want" to trade for Portland Trail Blazers pointguard Damian Lillard.These comments were made in the context of a larger discussion about the Indiana Pacers' offseason plans.Lillard, who turns 31 on July 15, will play nine NBA seasons. Portland selected Lillard ninth in the 2012 draft.He has been nothing but extraordinary: The six-time All NBA team member was averaging 28.8 points per game and 7.5 assists last season for the 42-30 Blazers team, which reached the playoffs for their eighth consecutive year.Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports's editor, reported Lillard might be leaving on June 27. He tweeted: "The backlash against the Portland Trail Blazers coaching search, and his concern over whether a champion contender can be built, have become major factors that could cause Damian Lillard, Yahoo Sports sources say."Rumours are circulating about the Philadelphia 76ers following their disappointing playoff exit from the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks upset the top-seeded Eastern Conference team by winning seven of their seven games in round 2.They are most notable because they surround point guard Ben Simmons. Simmons was a three-time All-Star, but he struggled tremendously in the Hawks series. He scored only 19 points in his final three games against the Hawks and shot 33.3 percent from free-throw in round 2.KRON4 News' Jason Dumas reported that Simmons was rejected by the 76ers. It included Malcolm Brogdon, a point guard, and a first-round draft pick.Rumours have swirled about a Simmons-Lillard swap. Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer, is reportedly on the side of the 76ers.David Aldridge, of The Athletic, also recalls a conversation with an unnamed NBA executive who said that it could be an issue on the Portland side.The executive stated that Simmons was still very good. "But he is so broken right now that you're going get killed if he does that." You're the one who took over for Dame.Whatever happens, the NBA offseason will be full of intrigue as some of the most prominent names in the game could be moving.
