Pros and cons of potential trades

As the Phoenix Suns prepare for an unlikely NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, a drumbeat of trade rumors involving the Warriors carries on.

The Warriors, holding two first-round picks in the July 29 draft (Nos.

7 and 14), have been connected to rumors involving former top-10 picks (Collin Sexton, Ben Simmons, CJ McCollum), MVP candidates (Damian Lillard) and Finals winners (Pascal Siakam).

What’s behind these rumors, and how much sense do these trade possibilities make for the Warriors?

Today, let’s have a look at Lillard, McCollum and Simmons.

Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard

THE BACKGROUND >> As Portland faces public backlash following the hiring of Chauncey Billups as coach, Lillard is reportedly doubting his future with the franchise. According to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, this and the failure to surround Lillard with championship talent could “push the franchise player out the door.”

The Oakland native has spent all nine years of his career in Portland and averaged 28.8 points and 7.5 assists while shooting 45.1% overall and 39.1% from 3-point range last season. The contract extension he signed in 2019 has three years remaining before a player option in 2024 and will pay Lillard $39 million next season. PROS >> Lillard, 30, is a perennial MVP candidate hungry to win an NBA title. A backcourt of him and Stephen Curry would put the two best longrange shooters in the league on the same team, stretch defenses beyond their breaking point and

be among the most dynamic offensive duos in NBA history.

CONS >> Nothing that can’t be overcome by the totality of their talent, but there would be concerns defensively if the starting backcourt is Lillard and Curry. Still, they would score enough points most nights to make up for their shortcomings on that end. POTENTIAL TRADE PACKAGE >> By trading Lillard, the Trail Blazers would be entering a rebuild. Giving them the No. 7 pick, the No. 14 pick, 26-yearold Andrew Wiggins and 20-year-old James Wiseman works under salary cap rules and would give Portland a solid start to the process.

BOTTOM LINE >> While the Warriors’ offer is solid, it lacks a blue-chip prospect that Portland could build around. Teams such as Toronto (No. 4 pick and Pascal Siakam/Fred VanVleet), Denver (Jamal Murray), Boston (Jaylen Brown), Miami (Bam Adebayo), Philadelphia (Simmons) and New Orleans (Brandon Ingram) all can put forth a package of young players and future picks that is as appealing, if not more so, than the Warriors.

Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum

THE BACKGROUND >> If Portlanddecidestohangonto Lillard, the obvious way to change the roster would be trading his longtime backcourt partner McCollum.

McCollum, 29, is owed $30.8 million next year, the first of a four-year contract extension.

A talented offensive player, McCollum averaged 23.1 points and 4.7 assists on 45.8% shooting overall and 40.2% from 3-point range. He has been among the most consistent scorers in the league over his eightyear career. He would provide an immediate boost to Golden State’s 20th-ranked offense, especially when Curry is on the bench. CONS >> As productive as Portland’s backcourt has been, it’s limited by Lillard’s and McCollum’s shortcomings on defense. While both give strong effort, neither is a high-level defender. A pairing of Lillard and Curry provides enough firepower to make up for their defensive deficiencies, but a CurryMcCollum pairing might leave the Warriors with the same predicament Portland is in right now. POTENTIAL TRADE PACKAGE >> Wiggins plus the No. 7 pick works.

Or the Warriors could sign Kelly Oubre Jr. to a deal that pays him $15 million next season and trade him along with Wiseman ($9.1 million) for McCollum. That would work under the salary cap rules. BOTTOM LINE >> While McCollum is a talented scorer and has playoff experience, he likely isn’t worth the defensive concerns and salary.

PROS >> 76ers point guard Ben Simmons

THE BACKGROUND >> After Philadelphia’s disappointing playoff exit, changes seem to be on the horizon. With Joel Embiid entrenched as the franchise player, Simmons is the most likely candidate to be moved despite backing from coach Doc Rivers. PROS >> At 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Simmons is

perhaps the most versatile defender in the game. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season, behind winner Rudy Gobert and ahead of Draymond Green.

Simmons is also a gifted passer who has averaged 7.7 assists per game over his career.

Lineups with Simmons would provide ample versatility and playmaking. On offense, he’d be another ball-handler to get Curry and Klay Thompson the ball. Defensively, he’d pair well with Green in the frontcourt, where he could guard opposing bigs and switch onto the best perimeter scorers in the league. Two Defensive Player of the Year candidates is nothing to sneeze at.

CONS >> Simmons unraveled in the playoffs and became a liability on offense. He averaged fewer than eight shot attempts per game, and took only three shots in the Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

He’s a non-factor from beyond the arc, making only 5 of 34 shots for his career from distance. As gifted as Simmons is, his lack of offense is the reason Philadelphia would entertain trading him. POTENTIAL TRADE PACKAGE >> Wiggins plus the seventh and 14th picks works from a salary-matching standpoint, but it’s unlikely Philadelphia would be interested in adding two lottery picks to a contending team. A third team would need to be involved to take on the picks and salary in order for the 76ers to acquire another immediate contributor.

BOTTOM LINE >> While Simmons would give the Warriors defensive versatility and playmaking, his diminishing offensive game is a growing concern.