What would a John Wall to Sixers trade look like?
So… let’s say Houston really wants to make this work. How would it work… and, frankly, would it make sense for either side?
Sixers also receive: 2022 first-round pick (HOU, top-3 protected), 2024 first-round pick (BKN), 2026 first-round pick (BKN), 2027 first-round pick (HOU, top-3 protected)
This is pretty much what it would take for Philadelphia to even pick up the phone. The Rockets are not only putting up draft capital and young talent to acquire Ben Simmons — they are putting up draft capital and young players to get off of Wall’s contract, which actively sabotages Philadelphia’s cap sheet for the next two years.
The Sixers are giving up two starters here because of salary-matching requirements, and would subsequently take a huge step back in the East. The Sixers would then need to bank on Kevin Porter Jr.’s development as a perimeter creator, on top of Morey’s ability to get another star on the team with all the draft picks acquired. Extra picks don’t do much for Philadelphia right now, unless they’re being moved elsewhere for win-now talent.
Houston probably shouldn’t make this trade either. The Rockets are at the very beginning of a rebuild and simply lack the talent to build a contender around Ben Simmons. While getting Simmons for four years gives them plenty of time to build and grow, it becomes much harder without all that draft capital. The Rockets chose draft picks over Ben Simmons last season when the James Harden trade was made. It’s tough to see them reversing course now.
So, in summary, there’s not much of a reason for either team to make this trade. The Rockets would have to give up too many future assets, while Philadelphia simply cannot bank on Wall’s talent or his contract. Every team mentioned in the Simmons rumor mill (Minnesota, Golden State, Cleveland, Toronto, Sacramento, San Antonio) all have better offers on the table.
In fact, if the Rockets really want Simmons before training camp, it has to come from a trade not involving John Wall.