Sixers’ top realistic Ben Simmons trade target from Kings: De’Aaron Fox
Easily the best name on this list, De’Aaron Fox is a player the Sixers should gladly consider in a potential Ben Simmons swap. He’s good enough to pique the interest of Portland or Washington if a bigger name asks out. And, he’s good enough to bolster the Sixers’ offense right away, and give them a much-needed closer late in games.
Fox doesn’t shoot the 3 at the same clip as Brogdon or Garland, nor does his percentage sit as high, but he’s a capable 3-point shooter who does attempt over five a game. He takes 3s, and makes them enough to command respect from defenses. That, combined with his playmaking chops, downhill scoring, and breakneck speed in transition, would make him a deadly co-star next to Embiid.
Part of Simmons’ value in Philadelphia has been his ability to push the tempo and dissect unset defenses on the fast break. That is an area in which Fox excels too. In fact, Simmons and Fox may very well be the two fastest open-court players in the NBA. Maintaining that element in Simmons’ absence is a serious incentive for Philadelphia.
Last season, Fox played the starring role well in Sacramento. He averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 assists per game. He would bring a different dynamic to the halfcourt offense, and keep the Sixers’ transition offense humming. He can spread the love to Philadelphia’s perimeter shooters, or work the two-man game with Embiid, either as a pull-up shooter or downhill driver. There’s a lot of like if the Kings are willing to swap stars.