The Philadelphia 76ers will look to reassert their claim as one of the NBA’s top contenders this offseason. The way to do so, of course, is via trade, with many fans clamoring for the swift departure of Ben Simmons. While the Sixers will be rightfully pragmatic with the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, it does feel like the end is near for Simmons in Philadelphia. There’s too much love lost between him and the fanbase.
As the rumors begin to swirl, meaningful reports have only tied Ben Simmons directly to one franchise — the Golden State Warriors.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported that Golden State will “make a push” for the three-time All-Star, and on the surface, it makes sense. There is no better basketball fit for Simmons, and the Warriors don’t shy away from blockbuster change.
There is, however, one slight problem — the pieces don’t exactly fit. Unless the Warriors are ready to part with Klay Thompson, or the Sixers are big believers in 31-year-old Draymond Green, then there’s no clear avenue to both sides accepting an offer. It would likely take a third team.
The Sixers and Warriors may not have a deal on the surface, but work at it hard enough, and there are ways to get Ben Simmons to Golden State.
The lack of an easy swap should not dissuade either side, and more often than not, third teams are happy to jump in when there’s chum in the water. Whether it be a rebuilding franchise like OKC, which can absorb Andrew Wiggins’ contract for draft capital, or another contender with assets to spare, there are ways to get Ben Simmons to the Bay if the two sides will it so.
For Golden State, that would mean a generational playmaking talent in the open court, who could have his role tailored around two of the greatest shooters ever to walk the earth. Stephen Curry would take the ball out of Simmons’ hands late in games, while Ben’s defense — especially if he’s next to Draymond Green in smaller groups — would provide a formidable backbone.
Green and Simmons are an awkward fit together, and a trade made inevitably lead to Green’s departure, but even if the Warriors have to brave a strange fit, there’s more than enough value tied up in Ben Simmons to warrant it.
This is — again — somewhat complicated. Unless the Sixers and Warriors are both into swapping Ben Simmons and Klay Thompson straight up, which the Sixers would do in a heartbeat and the Warriors would not, it will take three teams and some creative thinking. As a blanket statement before we start, Andrew Wiggins is forbidden from joining the Sixers. It cannot happen. “He was Joel’s college teammate!” — I don’t care!
Ben Simmons-to-Warriors framework #1 — Sixers hijack the lottery
Sixers receive…
- Kemba Walker
- #7 pick
- #14 pick
Warriors receive…
- Ben Simmons
Thunder receive…
- Andrew Wiggins
- #28 pick
This is about a simple and straight-forward as a Sixers-Warriors trade can get. OKC gets in, takes on the Andrew Wiggins contract, and is given (another) first-round pick for their troubles. The Sixers take on Kemba Walker and his Celtics revenge tour, while Ben Simmons explores the glorious hillsides of San Francisco.
Dane Moore, who covers the Minnesota Timberwolves under the Blue Wire Podcasts network, recently reported that it would take “two first-round picks” to acquire Ben Simmons if Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards were not in the deal. We can extrapolate that to a broader NBA context, and say it would require multiple picks to acquire Ben Simmons in the absence of an elite young talent. In this version of a deal, the Sixers get two picks — two prime lottery picks.
That may very well be the peak of Simmons’ value, which is not at an all-time high right now, and if that’s what Daryl Morey believes to be the case, then maybe Simmons is out the door. The Sixers could also look to flip one or both of those picks for another win-now contributor.
In this writer’s personal opinion, however, that feels like a dangerous undersell when you consider that Kemba Walker was just salary dumped along with a first-round pick for Al Horford, who the Sixers salary-dumped last offseason along with a first-round pick. If Walker and mid-to-late lottery picks is all Simmons nets, it may be smarter to keep Simmons and try to recoup value. It would ultimately depend, as well, on how Morey and the front office view the prospects available in this year’s lottery.
Ben Simmons to Warriors framework #2 — Sixers bring in Hornets
Sixers receive…
- Gordon Hayward
- Miles Bridges
- #11 pick
- #14 pick
Warriors receive…
- Ben Simmons
- #28 pick
Hornets receive…
- Draymond Green
- James Wiseman
Again, the Sixers receive two lottery picks. This time, it comes with a nice combination of players from Charlotte — Gordon Hayward, a top-50 player, and young gun Miles Bridges, who still has room to grow and gives Philadelphia a bigger second-unit wing that was lacking in the postseason.
The Sixers can either flip the picks for another piece, or just draft two plug-and-play rookies, of which the lottery has plenty this year. Again, this seems like a low price for Ben Simmons, who has made three All-Star appearances by the age of 24, but such is the market right now.
Hayward and Bridges would both help considerably, but the Sixers would have to look elsewhere for another playmaking vessel. Perhaps turn this into a four-teamer, and try to swap Hayward for CJ McCollum, or try to flip Tobias Harris into Kemba Walker. There are endless avenues if Daryl Morey is creative enough to think them.
In the end, this trade would mean the Sixers are angsty when it comes to Ben Simmons. This is not a trade befitting a team with leverage. If the Sixers are genuinely comfortable rostering Ben Simmons at the start of next season, do not expect this move to happen. That said, there’s serious reason to doubt Philadelphia is willing to roster Simmons next season. The pressure to appease Joel Embiid and make foundational change is at an all-time high.
The Hornets also get a lot better. Draymond Green is the kind of leader who can elevate the young pieces to another level, while James Wiseman is probably who Charlotte preferred in last year’s draft, but it was LaMelo Ball who fell to No. 3 instead. The Warriors and Hornets leap at the opportunity here.
Ben Simmons to Warriors framework #3 — Sixers get wacky
Sixers receive…
- CJ McCollum
- Robert Covington
- Terrence Ross
Warriors receive…
- Ben Simmons
- Tobias Harris
Trail Blazers receive…
- Draymond Green
- Gary Harris
- #14 pick
Magic receive…
- Andrew Wiggins
- James Wiseman
This trade is so bonkers it doesn’t even fit in the graphic. The odds of such a seismic four-team trade are slim to none, but when inspiration strikes, who am I to deny it. This makes a fair amount of sense all around. I think all four teams genuinely consider it.
For Philadelphia, CJ McCollum boosts the halfcourt offense, Robert Covington helps fill the void defensively, and Terrence Ross makes his Sixth Man of the Year case as Joel Embiid’s next favorite DHO partner.
For Golden State, you get Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris, two expensive but talented players who are in their primes and can help you compete. Simmons steps in for the aging Green, while Harris provides an immediate upgrade over Andrew Wiggins in almost every respect. James Wiseman is a tough pill to swallow, but you swallow it.
The Blazers get a defensive leader and playmaker who would thrive as Damian Lillard’s main set-up man. Green can share the secrets of Steph with Dame, and the Blazers have some tough-as-nails competitive DNA. Gary Harris can defend, too, and hit some 3s when given the opportunity.
The Magic absorb the nasty Wiggins contract, and for their troubles, get the reigning No. 2 overall pick and a true franchise center. Orlando is at the beginning stages of a rebuild and would have a boatload of potential on both sides of the ball, with picks No. 5 and 8 coming up in July.
I shall now take my bow, and depart.