Surprise Ben Simmons trades: Sixers acquire Gordon Hayward
Starting off with a bang. This is the star swap no one is talking about but could make a ton of sense for all involved. Gordon Hayward was in the midst of a fantastic season before a foot injury took him out of the lineup in April. He finished the season averaging almost 20 points per game, six rebounds, and four assists. He also shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc for the third time in his career, and proved a ton of people wrong (myself included) that thought he was on his last legs after leaving Boston and considered his contract a huge overpay.
The timelines match up a lot better for both teams after the swap. Hayward is 31 and has had injuries throughout his career, so him waiting around for the young Charlotte core doesn’t seem feasible. On the flip side, Ben Simmons is only 24, which matches up perfectly with LaMelo Ball (19), P.J. Washington (22), and Devonte’ Graham (26). After this trade, Simmons could develop out of the spotlight in Charlotte over the next year or two before they expect to seriously compete. Hayward could use the last few years of his prime to compete for a championship in Philadelphia.
On court this makes a lot of sense for both sides. Charlotte has been begging for an answer at center, and Simmons could slide in to complete a great small-ball lineup. This would also make Charlotte one of the more fun League Pass teams, with Ball and Simmons moving the ball around a ton and crushing teams on the break.
Hayward has been criminally underrated on his ability to orchestrate offense, a role the Celtics sorely missed without him this season. He is a great creator in the halfcourt and would solve the Sixers’ biggest need. Philly’s defense would take a hit, but Hayward would more than make up for it on offense .
Ultimately Philly might ask for a little more in return, perhaps P.J. Washington or Miles Bridges, but Daryl Morey should seriously consider this option.