Sixers: Ranking hypothetical Ben Simmons trade targets

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Ranking Sixers’ hypothetical Ben Simmons trade targets: Swap ’em

6. De’Aaron Fox

The Kings are probably in no rush to trade De’Aaron Fox, but when presented with everything Simmons offers — accolades, defense, comparable transition playmaking — Sacramento could be tempted to consider a swap. At this point on the list, we have reached players who could be reasonably swapped one-for-one.

Simmons is still a tier above Fox in a vacuum, and would have no trouble fitting next to Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in Sacramento’s backcourt. He would give the Kings a much-needed foundation on defense, while still allowing Luke Walton to get out in transition and run the floor.

For the Sixers, Fox is simply a better fit on paper. He can create his own looks, and is a jitter-bug creator with far more juice than Simmons in a halfcourt setting. At just 23 years old, Fox averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 assists last season. He’s only hit 32.2 percent of his 3s last season, but attempted 5.5 per game, which is enough to command the defense’s respect from distance.

5. CJ McCollum

Injuries are a concern with CJ McCollum, but he’s a truly gifted scorer who would elevate the Sixers’ halfcourt offense in a big way. Last season, he averaged 23.2 points and 4.7 assists on 40.2 percent shooting from deep. He’s a slippery ball-handler with shot-making prowess Philly fans have clamored for ever since Embiid’s first postseason defeat.

McCollum would give the Sixers a heavy dose of 3s along with more playmaking juice than his bare numbers suggest. Damian Lillard commands a lot of airspace offensively. There’s reason to believe that, when more or less handed the keys to Philadelphia’s offense, McCollum could show even more layers to his game.

That said, Simmons is five years younger and has a much longer list of NBA accomplishments. The Sixers will probably not get equal or superior talent without attaching picks. McCollum does suitably improve the halfcourt offense, though, and the Blazers need a big swing or two to appease Damian Lillard. Simmons would fit quite well in Portland.