Sixers: 3 possible Ben Simmons trades with Pacers

The Ben Simmons saga pushes on, with the two sides now publicly at odds. The Sixers have withheld $8.25 million in salary, with future fines still on the table. Whispers of a Simmons return have surfaced, but in the end, a prolonged holdouts feels inevitable. That is, unless a trade occurs.

While no trade discussions are in advanced stages, there is interest around the league in Philadelphia’s three-time All-Star. The Cavaliers, Raptors, Timberwolves, and Spurs have all been mentioned as potential suitors. A new wild card has emerged, however — the Indiana Pacers.

In a recent appearance on The Jump, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the Pacers are a “sleeper team in this whole situation,” with the right mix of draft capital and winning players to make a real push once Daryl Morey’s trade demands come down to earth.

Are the Indiana Pacers a real contender in the Ben Simmons sweepstakes. Will the Sixers have interest?

As Windhorst notes, the Pacers do not have the All-NBA kind of player Morey is looking for. They do, however, have a lot of above-average starters and reserves who can contribute to winning basketball. Malcolm Brogdon was the rumored centerpiece of a Simmons trade offer way back in July, so this isn’t the first time Indiana’s hat has been thrown in the ring.

One must also consider the market size. Indiana is not a free agent destination, and the Pacers’ cap sheet currently prevents them from making a splash in free agency. There aren’t many avenues to improving the roster outside of a blockbuster trade, and Simmons would no doubt be raising the Pacers’ competitive floor. He’s also under contract for four years, meaning the Pacers essentially have him for the duration of his prime.

With that in mind, let’s break down some potential Simmons-Pacers trade frameworks.