It’s been recently reported that the Boston Celtics are interested in the Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star point guard Ben Simmons. This is the first significant development in the Simmons trade front in a couple of months.
While it doesn’t appear that the two sides are in serious talks at this point, it does cause some form of jubilee for the Sixers’ fan base. With that in mind, it seems only appropriate to come up with a hypothetical trade between the two franchises.
What a hypothetical trade between the Sixers and Celtics for Simmons would look like.
Sixers fans might not love this deal considering that the club is sending Simmons, Jaden Springer, and the 2022 first round pick, plus a 2023 second round pick for Jaylen Brown and Juan Hernangomez. However, it’s actually pretty good value.
Both Simmons and Brown are from the same draft and it’s fair to say that most would take Brown higher in a draft of that class. Brown is also the one Celtic name linked to the Sixers in this rumor, so of course, he would have to be included if Philly wants a deal done.
On the flip side, the Celtics probably won’t give Brown up for anything so the haul in itself will have to be impressive from their perspective as well. Including more than Simmons has to be on the table to get talks going.
With that in mind, the Sixers would have to sweeten the pot for the Celtics to consider a trade involving Brown and Simmons. Getting two picks (a first and a second), plus a young prospect like Springer should be enough to get the Celtics seriously engaged. Hernangomez is just in there for salary filler as he hasn’t been a major player in Boston’s rotation. It should be noted that Hernangomez can’t be traded until November 14, 2021.
This might not the enough for the Celtics to pull the trigger, but it should be enough to bring them to the bargaining table with the Sixers.