Sixers: 3 fair trades involving Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey

Tyrese Maxey + Ben Simmons trades: Sixers, Wolves, Mavs blockbuster

Sixers also receive: 2022 first-round pick (DAL, unprotected), 2022 first-round pick (MIN, unprotected), 2025 first-round pick (MIN, unprotected), 2027 first-round pick swap (MIN)

The Wolves do not have much to offer outside of Anthony Edwards, who is presumably unavailable. That being the case, Minnesota’s best bet is a slew of assets and a third team to sweeten the pot. That third team becomes much easier to find if Tyrese Maxey is on the market, as any number of teams could desire his services.

In this instance, it is Dallas. The Mavericks need another guard next to Luka Doncic long-term. Maxey’s ability to put pressure on the rim and attack going downhill provides a nice complement to Doncic. He can also run the second unit when Doncic sits. Throw in Paul Reed, who’s becoming less and less of a throw-in, and the price of Jalen Brunson and a first-round pick doesn’t seem so steep.

For Minnesota, a collection of useful players — Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, and Jaden McDaniels — all arrive in Philadelphia, while Simmons heads north to play with his good friends, Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Minnesota is certainly not Simmons’ preferred destination, but Rich Paul can only exert so much leverage over the situation when Simmons has four years on his contract.

This is yet another example of the Sixers stockpiling assets for the next star trade request — ideally Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal. The Wolves’ lack of high-end talent means they will have to dig deeper into their war chest than most teams. If Philly can squeeze three first-round picks and a future swap out of any deal, that’s a good starting point.

None of these trades are, on the surface, ideal outcomes. When you factor in Simmons’ discontent and the burgeoning Maxey storyline, however, it becomes difficult to expect an “ideal” outcome. The Sixers will ultimately have to admit defeat and gamble on the future, unless a surprise star comes out of the woodwork to demand a trade.