The Sixers have a Ben Simmons problem. While a trade does feel inevitable, the timing of that trade feels anything but inevitable. The ideal outcome is finding a new home for Simmons before the regular season. Before training camp, even. Given the dearth of quality offers on the table, however, it may behoove the Sixers to wait a little longer. And it appears they’re ready to do just that.
With that is mind, let us take a dive into the Sixers’ positional depth chart — starting with the point guard position.
Until Simmons is officially no longer a Sixer, he is without a doubt the team’s starting point guard. There’s a debate to be had about Simmons’ long-term utility as a lead initiator, but the Sixers don’t really have a viable alternative. Simmons is the second-best player on the team, and one of the most prolific facilitators on this lovely planet we call Earth.
Sixers’ point guard depth chart: Ben Simmons — STARTER
No NBA star is more maligned than Ben Simmons, who is despised by his own fanbase and skewered by the local media on a daily basis. He has earned much of that hate, with a disappearing act worthy of Vegas in the Sixers’ second round defeat. Even so, it’s worth remembering, from time to time, just how good he is.
Last season, which was universally considered a down year for the 25-year-old, Simmons made his third consecutive All-Star appearance and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, converting on 55.7 percent of his field goal attempts.
Again, by Simmons’ high standards, that was considered a genuine disappointment. More likely than not, he will only get better from here. Even if his skills remain undeveloped and his development continues to plateau, he’s due for a boost in efficiency next season. And, for all the blusterous talk about his poor fit with Embiid, there are no two players better paired on the defensive end of the floor.
The Sixers will trade Simmons, and will probably get a more traditional point guard in return. Whether that point guard is Damian Lillard or D’Angelo Russell is still undetermined. Even so, while there are definite benefits to letting Simmons walk (especially if it’s for Dame Time), it’s important to reckon with how significant a loss that is on defense. A team starting Joel Embiid will almost never field a below-average defense, and Matisse Thybulle is an all-world perimeter defender. That doesn’t mean Simmons’ versatility and 100-percent effort won’t be severely missed.
Again, you could argue Simmons is better suited to a forward’s role — rim running, screen-setting, and trying to emulate Draymond Green more than Magic Johnson. The Sixers should investigate using him in such ways if he sticks around, but Simmons will still remain the team’s primary initiator. There’s no other option, frankly. Tyrese Maxey is not ready to start, and Seth Curry is no point guard. The Sixers let the only other natural point guard on the roster — George Hill — walk for nothing in free agency.