The Cleveland Cavaliers continue pop up as a potential trade partner in the Sixers’ ongoing efforts to move Ben Simmons.
While the fit isn’t great on the surface, it’s important to consider the circumstances. Cleveland is not a free agent hotbed. 25-year-old All-Stars who perennially contend for Defensive Player of the Year don’t come knocking very often.
If the Cavs do decide to push all the chips in on a Ben Simmons trade, there are a few plausible routes. Cleveland has one of the NBA’s best young cores, along with no shortage of draft picks to lay on Philadelphia’s front doorstep.
Let’s dive into some potential frameworks.
Sixers’ 3 possible Ben Simmons trades to Cavaliers: The plain and simple
Sixers also receive: 2023 first-round pick (top-5 protected), 2025 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
A lot of people have pitched packages built around Collin Sexton and Kevin Love. There’s absolutely no reason Philadelphia should have interest in taking on Love’s contract, nor are negotiating from a weak enough position to even consider the possibility. The Sixers are not dumping Simmons.
That said, Sexton plus salary filler does feel like a logical conclusion in any Sixers-Cavs trade. Sexton is due for a big extension soon, and Cleveland is rightfully weary about his long-term fit next to Darius Garland. As for salary filler, Ricky Rubio makes much more sense — not only because his contract is “better” than Love’s, but because he’s a more useful player. Cedi Osman is a starter in Cleveland.
Sexton averaged 24.3 points per game last season, slashing .475/.371/.815 from the field and earning some fringe All-Star buzz in the East. His reputation is complex, and for good reason, but he’s generally better than his detractors make him out to be. Regardless of how bad the team is, it’s no small feat to score with Sexton’s blend of volume and efficiency.
With Joel Embiid at the center of the offense, Sexton would be forced to adjust to a smaller role in Philly. The big question, of course, is can Sexton adjust to a smaller role? He’s notoriously heliocentric and doesn’t facilitate at a high level. To deliver on his upside in Philadelphia, he would need to play set-up man more frequently.
The Sixers are essentially swapping 1.5 rotation players for three rotation players in this instance, with two first-round picks to sweeten the pot. Neither Rubio nor Osman will dazzle the fanbase, but this is the kind of deal Philadelphia has no choice but to consider now.