We recently talked about the potential of a Ben Simmons-Warriors trade with Nathan Beighle, the site expert of Blue Man Hoop, who joined us on The Sixer Sense Podcast. We talked about potential “starting points,” and whether Golden State has what it truly takes to acquire the All-Star point guard.
Now, Beighle has pitched three potential Simmons-Warriors trades over at BMH. I highly recommend you give his article a look. Meanwhile, we will respond, grading each of his proposals and making a counteroffer. My colleague Lucas Johnson has recently done similar articles with Sacramento and Charlotte, which you can read here and here, respectively.
This article will focus on Philadelphia’s perspective, and whether the trades make sense for the Sixers.
Sixers: Grading potential Ben Simmons to Warriors trade No. 3
As Beighle mentions — both in his article, and in our conversation on the podcast — talks probably have to start with Jonathan Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in July’s NBA Draft. He is the most valuable player on Golden State’s roster outside the “big 3” of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, none of whom are going to be included in a Simmons trade.
This trade is probably a non-starter for the fanbase and the Sixers’ front office. Andrew Wiggins has two years and roughly $65 million left on his contract. Even after showing real growth last season, that’s a gross number. Golden State would have to give up draft capital to get most teams to bite on Wiggins’ contract, and that’s without getting a bonafide All-Star in return.
Jordan Poole is a severely underrated young player who the Sixers should no doubt target in a potential Golden State trade. His off-ball movement and shooting stroke would crystalize nicely with Joel Embiid and Doc Rivers’ offense. He could easily anchor the bench as a sixth man long-term.
That said, Poole and two picks is not enough to make the core Wiggins-Simmons swap palatable. Wiggins isn’t a great fit with Embiid, despite the college teammate connection. He can score 20+ points when called upon, and he developed into a really strong wing defender last season, but a career of inefficiency has shown Wiggins is best served in a third or fourth-option role. He can’t be the main return in a Simmons trade unless there is more coming back in return.
Grade: C