Sixers: Gauging Ben Simmons’ true trade value

Sixers Ben Simmons trade #1: Buying low

There are a lot of teams and potential offers that probably fit in this category. These are the offers that probably start conversations, but don’t get the actual deal done. The Kings are unwilling to throw De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton into trades. While Sixers fans may groan about that, it probably makes sense for them. Sacramento’s still clearly in the rebuilding phase with their young core.

At the same time, there are arguments to be made in favor of a trade like that. Hield has shot 39 percent in the NBA every season except his rookie year. Multiple Kings picks could be flipped to acquire another key piece. In the case of Malcolm Brogdon plus a pick from Indiana, the Sixers would be replacing Simmons with a 20+ point-per-game scorer who is a more natural fit at point guard.

One problem with both trades is that the Sixers immediately lose Simmons’ key attribute in his defensive presence. Gaining draft capital also might not really be what Philadelphia wants either. A team centered around Joel Embiid on an accelerated timeline due to his current MVP-caliber play and health concerns. They probably can’t wait two or three more years for a key cog to develop.

Brogdon and Hield tier players will outdo Simmons in terms of scoring unless he ever develops a quality jump shot. They’re clearly below Simmons as all-around players though, even if his development has plateaued.

Indiana and Sacramento aren’t a Simmons away from competing, but a young asset is an asset.