According to an NBA insider, the 76ers could get a deal done for Damian Lillard if they were to offer one key player in a possible trade.
According to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the Philadelphia 76ers could end up trading for Damian Lillard if they are able to offer Tyrese Maxey in a deal.
Obviously, to make a trade work, it would require matching salaries and, as such, the Sixers would have to possibly offer Tobias Harris as a massive expiring contract. But Windhorst's report indicates that Portland's interest in Maxey would be the key cog in getting any trade for Lillard with Philadelphia done.
The 76ers could also shop Harris to another team.
NBA Rumors: Could Tyrese Maxey interest get 76ers in on Damian Lillard trade?
For Portland, though Scoot Henderson has never played a game in his career, he most likely does not fit with Maxey because they are both small guards. Most likely, if the Trail Blazers want to develop Henderson right, they will need to put the ball in his hands. Still, putting Maxey in a three-way deal would bring a lot of draft assets to the Trail Blazers if found the right team.
Logically, it would be a lot easier to find third teams willing to give up draft picks for Maxey rather than Tyler Herro from another team heavy on the Lillard sweepstakes, the Miami Heat. Herro is a fine player on an okay contract. Still, a lot of teams are probably not able to take in $28 million in long-term salary to get a player with limited All-NBA potential.
Meanwhile, a lot of teams could probably give up two first-round picks for Maxey because he is still on his rookie contract. That isn't true for the Heat and Herro.
The question will end up being if the Sixers will part with Maxey. With James Harden's time with the organization being over, it might be wise for them to make a move for Lillard to pair him with Embiid and, most importantly, prevent the big man from requesting his own trade.
On the other hand, if Embiid does eventually request a trade, the Sixers might be able to build around Maxey if he's still on the roster.
That's what Philadelphia will have to weigh, but it's an intriguing option reportedly on the table as things start changing quickly for the 76ers.