Why the Portland Trail Blazers need to get Damian Lillard help before it’s too late

Coach of the year. Defensive player of the year. Sixth man of the year. MVP, All-NBA, and All-star selections. All of these accolades have been absent from the Portland Trail Blazers organization to complement star guard Damian Lillard since LaMarcus Aldridge departed the franchise in 2015.

Lillard has been an impact player since being drafted to Portland sixth overall in 2012. The Blazers have made the playoffs in every season aside from his rookie year.

The Blazers have had solid teams during these years, but every season has had much of the same conclusion. Portland’s overall talent has been significantly outmatched by their opponents led by multiple star players.

CJ McCollum has been regarded by many to be a top-tier player in the NBA since his breakout year in 2015-16. McCollum and Lillard have formed a lethal backcourt duo ever since, but they have simply been outmatched over the years in the highly competitive Western Conference.

Awards aren’t the most important thing in the NBA, but aside from a Most Improved Player award in 2016, McCollum has nothing else to show for. The eight-year veteran has been putting up a little over 20 points per game since his breakout year, while those numbers haven’t stagnated, they haven’t shown gradual improvement either.

Lillard has made it clear with his play and with his leadership that he is the player to build around in Portland. The Blazers have had prolific scoring from the guard spot with Lillard and McCollum, but they have consistently lacked help in the frontcourt.

With McCollum still under contract until 2024, it may be time for Portland to shake things up with their current roster. Portland has already shown signs of a potential trade in the making with a few recent additions to the team.

The Blazers bolstered their rotation in the last few weeks adding veteran forward Larry Nance Jr. in a trade with the Cavaliers. Portland also locked up forward Norman Powell on a five-year $90 million deal, a critical move that showed the Blazers are still committed to contending in the Western Conference.

With free agency now over, Portland surely still has some valuable trade options if they choose to pursue them. Currently, the most intriguing option would be a deal for Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons.

Both teams would likely have to give up equally valuable assets for this to work, but the Blazers would be getting elite playmaking and defense from the guard spot with Simmons. Lillard and Simmons in a backcourt together would be an interesting mesh of play styles, but Dame’s high-level shooting could complement Simmons weaknesses in that department.

This move would give the Blazers a new look on both ends of the floor while also presenting Simmons with a change of scenery and a fresh start in Portland.