The Most Random Ben Simmons Trade Proposals (That Everybody Will Probably Say No To)
Simmons' time in Philly may come to an end but finding a new home may be more difficult than it seems
The Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated this past Sunday in a heartbreaking loss to the Atlanta Hawks 103–96. After an MVP season from superstar Joel Embiid, and obtaining the number one spot in the Eastern Conference and homecourt, it did not matter because limited shot creation, unimaginative offensive schemes, and failed coaching adjustments prevented the 76ers to reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and once again having the season end on such a disappointing note.
Today the national media is targeting the poor performance of the team’s starting “point guard” (a title used very loosely here) Ben Simmons. Simmons had a terrible game yesterday. He only scored five points, had 13 assists, and eight rebounds on 2-of-4 shooting from the field in 36 minutes of play action. The “highlight” of his performance that evening that signified his postseason play against the Hawks was when Simmons spun past Atlanta’s Danilo Gallinari and had a clean look at the basket but instead passed up the shot and dished it to teammate Tobias Harris, who got fouled and only hit one of two free throws, drawing ire from Embiid and 76ers head coach Doc Rivers for his decision-making.
When the press asked Doc Rivers after the game if Simmons could be the point guard of a championship team, his response did not invoke a bode of confidence in his young All Star:
“I don’t know the answer to that right now,” Rivers said to reporters.
Yeesh.
That is not a good look, especially since Simmons is likely down in the dumps and the entire city of Philadelphia pretty much hates his guts. He needs some support after a game like that but if Rivers and even Embiid are fed up with his lack of shot creation or even decent post moves then Simmons’ time in Philly is pretty much on the clock.
Simmons has been a disappointment so far in his young NBA career. For someone who was touted as “the next LeBron” due to his high athleticism, elite defense, and excellent court vision he’s fundamentally the same player that he was when he got drafted by the 76ers in 2016. The only knock on Simmons at the time was his inability to shoot and taking the initiative in terms of knowing when to score and when to set up his teammates. Five years into his career and he still has the same issues. He can’t shoot and he still doesn’t seem to know when to take the initiative to score and when to set up his teammates.
He probably thought he could get by on his athleticism alone but anybody could tell you that the league does not work like that and your flaws WILL be exposed especially in the playoffs when the schemes change and adjustments are made. You could get away with stuff a lot more during the regular season but the postseason is a completely different atmosphere and it is disappointing that Simmons hasn’t seemed to pick up on that for the past three years when he first entered the playoffs with Embiid.
So now 76ers fans are firing up the trade machines and are trying to see if they can get rid of this guy and help improve the team’s chances of winning a championship. If they are not doing that, they are demanding that the 76ers front office “blow up everything” and trade everybody save Embiid and start the process (sorry) from scratch.
Let me just say that neither decisions will work or actually happen. The 76ers gave Simmons a five year, $170 million contract extension. Trading him is easier said than done. Plus there is no guarantee that the team will improve if he is gone. Say what you will about his lack of shot creation or his lack of desire to improve his game (all those things are VERY true), he is still the best defensive player and passer on the roster. So even if they get a shooter they lose their best perimeter defender and that is not something you could easily replace (contrary to popular belief).
The 76ers are also not going to blow up the team. They were number one in the Eastern Conference (duh!). No rational franchise is going to put down on the entire team just because of a disappointing exit. The front office will have to make some serious adjustments this summer to help improve the team.
But just for fun, what if the 76ers DID find a way to trade Ben Simmons? Who would take him and his contract? Who would the 76ers get back? So much to ponder.
Well, today let’s have a bit of fun determining which trades would work best for the 76ers and who would say yes or no in the scenarios! Keep in mind, these are hypothetical! None of them are meant to be true or guarantee trade scenarios that will work. So please, do not overreact (or at least try not to overreact).
Let’s get weird:
1.) 76ers trade Simmons for Portland Trailblazers’ CJ McCollum
Why this deal works: this is the most reasonable trade that most people — myself included — came up with. McCollum, much like Simmons, has underperformed for the most part of his postseason career. He could use a better structured scene like the 76ers to put his skills as a elite shot creator to good use. That would give the 76ers the floor spacing they need to help take the pressure off of Embiid. As for Simmons, he would be the Blazers’ version of Draymond Green to Damian Lillard’s Steph Curry. The Warriors like to use Curry to often draw a trap and pass the ball to Draymond, who could get to the rim or make a key pass to a teammate. Lillard and Simmons would be a frightening pick-and-roll duo if the Blazers can maximize their ability.
Who says no: eh…probably the 76ers. McCollum is not exactly an “elite” All Star like say James Harden and a backcourt with McCollum and Seth Curry will be a defensive nightmare for Doc Rivers. To get something you’ll have to lose something and no one really knows if the Sixers are prepared to tank their defense to improve their offense. While this deal may make sense for both sides it is something that the 76ers front office will need time to ponder before saying yes.
2.) 76ers trade Simmons for Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield
Why this deal works: similar situation with the Portland Trailblazers. The Kings are unlikely to trade De’Aaron Fox unless he requests to be traded. Buddy Hield is the one who makes the most sense since his contract is eating up the cap space of the Kings and Hield is clearly tired of the organization and wants out. Simmons can be a great addition to the Kings roster and Hield gets to go to a legit playoff team and help contribute and the Kings can sweeten the deal by tossing lottery pick Tyrese Haliburton into the mix to make the contracts match.
Who says no: again…likely the 76ers. Kings would LOVE to add another All Star caliber player to the roster for both basketball and financial reasons (Simmons’ presence can help sell lots of tickets) but 76ers may not believe in Hield’s shot creation and may have concerns over Haliburton’s health since he’s had several knee issues in the past. They already deal with Embiid and do not want to add another player with an injury history into the mix.
3.) 76ers trade Simmons for Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal
Why this deal works: swapping two All Stars shouldn’t be a problem. Beal will likely seek a championship and Simmons can get a fresh start on a young Wizards’ team. Beal can definitely raise the floor for the 76ers’ offense and can be an elite playmaker to play alongside Embiid. Simmons can find his footing in Washington, D.C. without expectations to be a cog for a title-contending team. He can improve on his own pace. Win-win for both sides.
Who says no: definitely the Wizards and by extension Beal. Beal’s relationship with the Wizards is a weird one. Long story short, Beal wants to play on a competitive team but does not want to leave the DC area. It is unlikely that Washington part ways with their star player whom they have bent over backwards to make comfortable during his time with the team. If they did not bother to trade him when all the opportunities presented itself it is unlikely they will trade for him now.
4.) 76ers trade Simmons for Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis
Why this deal works: look, the Mavs’ reputation took a nosedive last week with the recent Athletic report about the chaotic nature of the front office, the firings of Donnie Nelson of Harlabous Voulgaris, and the departure of future Hall of Fame head coach Rick Carlisle. The Mavs are desperate to get rid of one time former All Star Kristaps Porzingis to further build a contender with superstar Luka Doncic. Simmons can definitely be the secondary playmaker that can provide elite defense and serve the same way Draymond Green did with the Warriors (I hope you are seeing a pattern here). Meanwhile Porzingis can be a secondary scorer for the Mavs and provide space for Curry, Harris and the other wings freedom to shoot the ball in a spacious environment.
Who says no:
oh definitely the 76ers! They already have their hands full with one injury-prone big man. Do you really think that they want to go for two? Plus, Porzingis is an even worse defender than he was due to the affects of said injuries. It is unlikely that the Sixers would think twice of making such a deal.
5.) 76ers trade Simmons for New York Knicks’ Julius Randle
Why this deal works: again, Philly needs more shot creators and Randle — to the surprise of many — emerged as a solid shot creator and playmaking forward. He has played the point forward role at times during the season and racked up some triple doubles more so than any Knick in recent memory. The Most Improved Player would be the scoring punch that the 76ers desperately need. Meanwhile, Simmons goes to a large market with a passionate fanbase and can create his own legacy by working with a disciplinarian coach who is going to push Simmons to manifest into one of the truly best players in the league.
Who says no: probably both sides. This trade would not make sense for either party. Randle plays the same role as Tobias Harris. As much as Harris tries to convince the world he’s a small forward he really should be playing the power forward position and that’s Randle’s spot. Plus the 76ers need a playmaking guard not big. So Randle is not a fit. Meanwhile, the Knicks clearly saw the postseason and are aware of Simmons’ weaknesses and his lack of desire to improve (at least prior to the conclusion of this season). The last thing Tom Thibodeau needs is a star player with a lack of work ethic. He already clashed with Karl Anthony Towns in Minnesota when they could not see eye to eye on where Towns needs to improve. I highly doubt the Knicks want to go down that road again of submitting the entire franchise to one star who may not even be worth it.
6.) 76ers trade Simmons for Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kemba Walker
Why this deal works: this is probably the second most reasonable trade that makes sense behind the CJ McCollum trade. Walker did not enjoy his time with the Boston Celtics and wanted out as badly as Brad Stevens wanted to kick him out. Walker is still a very good point guard but it’s clear injuries have affected his athleticism a bit. However, the 76ers have a young guard in Tyrese Maxey who could step up when Walker needs rest so this should not be an issue. Plus, this is the type of trade that the Thunders’ Sam Presti has been waiting for: using all his draft capital to get a legit All Star-caliber player. Meanwhile, the Thunder get an All Star and Simmons — once again — gets the freedom to develop and not worry about the pressures of appeasing a title-contending team.
Who says no: it’s very unlikely that either side would say no to this. To be honest, this is probably the most logical trade that either team could make. Although the 76ers may not be keen to the trade since they fear Walker’s age. Still, if I were Philly I’d pick up the phone and make a call to Presti about Walker.
7.) 76ers trade Simmons for Orlando Magics’ Markelle Fultz
Why this deal works: oh the sheer irony of it all! Fultz gets to go back to the team that originally drafted and can provide a bit of scoring prowess in the guard/wing set. The Sixers have made a lot of mistakes with how they have approached each draft. It was dumb for them to trade Mikal Bridges on draft night for a player that never played for the team. They should have kept Markelle Fultz and kept a close eye on his development since his skills as a scoring point guard were desperately needed. Instead they thought Simmons and Tobias Harris was enough. Consider this their mea culpa and bringing Fultz back home after developing his game in Orlando. He has improved a LOT and probably could be a better fit with the roster than Simmons was.
Who says no: yeah, no…the Sixers are not going to make this deal. Aside from the doubts that they have with Fultz’s game, he also recently tore his ACL and they do not want to deal with the baggage of another injured player on the roster. They also want a guard ready for game one and Fultz is still in recovery after his ACL tear and nobody knows what kind of player he’ll be once he returns. So Fultz’s return to Philly is very unlikely at this point.
Phew! This was fun! I’m pretty sure there could be other trade scenarios I could come up with but for now let’s stop here. As I mentioned before, I highly doubt Simmons’ gets moved this offseason. Everybody saw that playoff series and if they wanted to make a trade for Simmons they probably plan on using him in a different way than the Sixers did and they have the cap room to absorb. But the situation does not seem like it is on the table (yet).
We’ll see what Philly does this offseason because the organization has a lot of questions to ask if they plan on running it back for another title run. Good luck fellas!
*additional information from Bleacher Report, The Athletic, Philly Voice, ESPN, CBS Sports
