Sixers: 3 possible Ben Simmons trades with Kings

3 possible Ben Simmons trades between Sixers & Kings: Pieces and picks

The hypothetical of Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley, and picks has been tossed around lately, and let me be frank — hell no. Hield is a notorious malcontent, rivaled only by Bagley on that front, and he’s just not that good. He has been periodically benched in Sacramento, and would not give the Sixers a playmaking threat to fill Simmons’ void.

Sacramento can posture all they want, but if Fox is off the table, there’s no realistic path to a two-team trade that doesn’t involve Tyrese Haliburton. Last year’s lottery pick was a steal for the Kings, but he’s not a No. 1 option, and he’s not good enough to pass up the chance to acquire Simmons with four years left on his contract.

For Philadelphia, Haliburton can help fill the playmaking void with a snappy decision-maker and ball-mover who hits his share of spot-up 3s — a perfect complement to Embiid and Harris in the frontcourt. It would behoove the Sixers to seek out another point guard to share the floor with Haliburton, but as the basis for a Simmons trade, I suppose Haliburton, pieces, and picks isn’t the worst possible outcome.

Frankly, Harrison Barnes interests me a great deal more than Buddy Hield in the event of a Simmons trade. He’s not the defender Simmons is, but he can help replicate some of that versatility in the frontcourt, and he hit 39.1 percent of his 3s last season. Barnes has really grown into his own as a third or fourth option post-Golden State, and would fit well in the Sixers’ starting five.

Then, give me Delon Wright — a lanky, defensively versatile guard who gives the Sixers a heck of a lot more than Marvin Bagley would as Embiid’s backup. The Sixers can add another contributor with the No. 9 pick. At that point, you’re getting enough depth and upside to make Simmons’ departure worthwhile.