Sixers: 3 possible Ben Simmons trades with Pistons

Sixers: Possible Ben Simmons trade with Pistons No. 3

Sixers also receive: 2022 first-round pick (Wolves, top-8 protected), 2025 first-round pick (Pistons, top-8 protected), 2027 first-round pick (Pistons, top-10 protected)

“Jerami Grant and Tobias Harris are both power forwards! How many times can we fall for the three-big gimmick?!” — That feels like an oversimplification of a complex dialogue around NBA positional categories (Grant would do just fine in Philly), but sure. Maybe Grant and Harris aren’t the absolute best fit. Thus, our obligatory three-team proposal.

Let’s say the Wolves don’t want to pay the steep price for Simmons, but are willing to strike a less expensive deal to pair Grant with Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt. It’s a hand-in-glove fit (Grant can provide the defensive backbone Minnesota desperately lacks) and it moves Minnesota closer to playoff contention without breaking the bank. Check.

For the Sixers, Malik Beasley is a cleaner fit on paper. He’s the shot-making guard Philadelphia has lacked since forever. Legal troubles shortened his 2020-21 campaign, but in 37 appearances (36 starts), Beasley averaged 19.6 points on .440/.399/.850 shooting splits. He averaged over eight 3-point attempts per game, and would provide Joel Embiid with a truly dynamic perimeter threat.

Philadelphia also gets Olynyk, who again, can fill a number of different roles off the bench. He would easily demand 25+ minutes per game on talent alone, with the skill set to close games in some situations. He will get pigeonholed as “another center,” but he’s a useful power forward and a legitimate volume shooter.

For the Pistons, it’s simple — they get Simmons without giving up a lot, relatively speaking. The Sixers get three first-round picks to sweeten the pot, and every team walks away either better or, in Philadelphia’s case, with a clearer path forward.