Ben Simmons — not Jimmy Butler — is the Philadelphia 76ers’ second All-Star lock

The Philadelphia 76ers might get three All-Stars, but two should be locks. Jimmy Butler isn’t one of them.

With All-Star week on the horizon, ESPN’s Zach Lowe laid out his picks for the 2018-19 season. It got me thinking about my picks, which I will post on this website in the coming days. It also brought up the ever-important question: which members of the Philadelphia 76ers will make the squad?

It can be safely assumed that Joel Embiid will start at center for whichever team drafts him. It can also be safely assumed that the Sixers — currently fourth in the top-heavy Eastern Conference — will get more than one All-Star.

As for which All-Star(s) make up the “more than one” criteria, however, there’s still some ambiguity. Jimmy Butler is largely considered the team’s second-best player, but that doesn’t mean he’s more deserving than Ben Simmons.

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The 22-year-old Simmons continues to put together a strong — almost underrated — sophomore campaign. He’s scoring more efficiently, doing more on offense, and continuing his growth as one of the NBA’s most versatile defenders.

Since adding Butler, Simmons’ performance level has actually increased. He’s scoring more points and becoming involved in different parts of the offense. There has been ample success with the Butler-Simmons two-man game, something few expected when the trade was initially announced.

The first factor you can point to when deciphering the two candidates in health. Simmons has appeared in nine more games than Butler, who spent part of the early season causing blatant (and willful) dysfunction in Minnesota.

As Lowe notes in his argument, there’s probably some penalty accessed there. Butler made the Wolves actively worse despite being their best player, disrupting chemistry and posturing until his trade demand was granted.

Simmons also plays a more important role in the Sixers’ offense, operating as the primary facilitator and unleashing the Sixers’ impressive transition game. His ability to push the tempo makes him one of the NBA’s most dynamic open-court players, whether it’s finishing at the rim or finding open teammates along the perimeter.

Averaging 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game, Simmons has the unique ability to impact the game in multiple facets. He’s dominant on the glass, as evidenced by his 22-rebound performance against New York. His limited shot profile hurts in certain matchups, but he’s becoming an increasingly aggressive post scorer who can still put tremendous pressure on halfcourt defenses. That wasn’t always the case last season.

Even though Butler sports a slightly higher usage rate, the Sixers’ offense runs primarily through Embiid and Simmons. Part of that is Butler’s natural adjustment period — we’ve seen his touches increase in recent games — but it’s also how Brown’s system works.

The Sixers prioritize ball movement, which Simmons typically initiates when he’s on the floor. He’s an excellent slasher, dynamic post player, and an elite passer. He also sets screens, makes cuts to the rim, and crashes the offensive glass. It’s rare for Simmons not to put his fingerprints on an offensive possession.

When factoring in Butler’s brief Minnesota stint and his clunky fit early in his Sixers tenure, it becomes difficult to comfortably place him above Simmons in the All-Star hierarchy. Elite defense factors into the equation, but Simmons doesn’t trail too far behind in that category.

Butler will become more involved in the Sixers’ offense as the season progresses. His halfcourt shot creation will also become more important in the playoffs, where teams were able to exploit Simmons’ limitations last season.

For the time being, however, the Sixers’ offense is still centered around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. They’re the two main cogs who facilitate everything else. They’re the two players who, despite the awkward dynamic on paper, make Brown’s offense tick.

Jimmy has found his space in the system and is beginning to expand his role, but it took time to get here. He’s also less efficient than Simmons, even though his three-point shooting marks a sizable difference in that discussion.

The Sixers should get at least two All-Stars: Embiid and Simmons. Butler should be thoroughly in the running as well, and this whole article might become a moot point if all three get in. But if we’re splitting hairs, Simmons should rank No. 2 on the Sixers’ roster for the 2018-19 season.