It’s rumored (subscription needed) that the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for All-Star level talent in return for any Ben Simmons trade. The good news for the Sixers is that there are a nice collection of those types of players on other teams who may not be in the best situation.
One player that the 76ers should be interested in is small forward Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram has made one All-Star game and he was the second overall pick behind Simmons in the 2016 NBA Draft.
However, doing a straight swap for the two top picks from the 2016 draft wouldn’t make sense for the Pelicans, Simmons doesn’t fit with Zion Williamson. With that in mind, there’s a three-team trade that would make sense for all three teams involved.
Potential 3-team trade for Ingram: The trade
*Not in trade graphic below, Portland Trailblazers get the10th pick in 2021, 2022 first round pick via Lakers, and 2024 first round pick via Lakers. Sixers get 2025 first round pick via Bucks.
In this hypothetical trade, the Sixers get Ingram and 3-and-D forward Robert Covington. They also snag 2025 first round pick, via Milwaukee from New Orleans. New Orleans gets Damian Lillard, George Hill, and Shake Milton.
The Portland Trail Blazers get a haul in this deal for Lillard. They get Simmons, Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kira Lewis Jr. They also get three first round picks as well. The 10th pick in 2021, 2022 first round pick via Lakers, and 2024 first round pick via Lakers.