Once again, the Philadelphia 76ers were disappointingly close in what appeared to be a promising season.
They finished third in the Eastern Conference and appeared to have the best chance yet of winning their first NBA championship since 1983, only to blow out a 3-2 lead in the second round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics.
People have given the team a lot of criticism as a result – Joel Embiid hasn’t played like the best player in the league, James Harden can’t be counted on in the big games, and Doc Rivers should probably be fired.
But perhaps the team’s greatest need is closer.
Fox Sports 1’s Nick Wright says the Sixers should let Harden walk and do whatever it takes to get Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.
“If I were 76, I’d let James Harden go. And I’d put as many eggs in Damian Lillard’s basket as possible — Maxie, Tobias, whatever your choices are.”
– @employee He explains: pic.twitter.com/O1RMUpJMEO
– First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 15, 2023
In Game 7 of the Boston series, Embiid and Harden both played poorly, and it’s clear the Sixers need something to get over the hump.
They haven’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001 despite the presence of Embiid, who have gone from great to dominant over the past two years.
A very experienced player in the game who loves to land big shots in the faces of opposing teams, Lillard is a very skilled guard who can bring stability to Philadelphia.
The problem is, he was reluctant to leave Portland, despite Portland’s failure to put a winning team around him over the years.
But if Lillard comes to his senses and asks, Wright feels Philly could put together an attractive trade package centered around forward Tobias Harris and young camper Therese Maxey.
At least on paper, Lillard looks like the kind of player who could put the Sixers over the top.
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