Sixers: Ranking the most likely Ben Simmons trade destinations
. . . THE FRONTRUNNERS
4. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have gone on a nice little win streak in lieu of Luke Walton, but don’t be fooled — Sacramento is a mess of a franchise with no clear direction. They can only keep De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton off the table for so long. At some point, you need to make a change, and Fox hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations this year. In fact, the biggest obstacle may be that Philadelphia’s interest in Fox should be muted.
3. Washington Wizards
Damian Lillard probably isn’t happening. Not this season. But let’s not rule out Bradley Beal just yet. He’s back to making semi-cryptic comments, and the Wizards’ red-hot start to the season has begun to cool down. If the Sixers are truly going to break the bank for a top-25 player, Beal still feels like the ultimate target (with Lillard out of the running). Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but the Wizards warrant your attention as more trade avenues open up.
2. San Antonio Spurs
We have received the obligatory “Ben Simmons would welcome playing for Gregg Popovich” leak, and the Spurs have been lurking in the shadows of the Simmons saga from the very beginning. Pop is an outspoken fan of Simmons, and the Spurs are not reeling in big-name free agents any time soon. San Antonio hasn’t rebuilt in nearly two decades, so the prospect of winning more games with Simmons — a 25-year-old All-Star and DPOY candidate — at the helm could appeal to ownership. Plus, what better place for Simmons to unearth any buried talent?
1. Indiana Pacers
The stars are aligning. While the Pacers can no longer trade Malcolm Brogdon this season, there’s still a pretty clear avenue to acquiring Simmons — Domantas Sabonis. The Sixers have no interest in Sabonis one-for-one, of course, but sending Sabonis to a third team could help the Pacers acquire enough capital to pique the Sixers’ interest. Another star talent, even. Sabonis and Simmons don’t fit on paper, and that has always been the biggest hurdle in imagining Simmons on the Pacers. With Indiana ready to move in a new direction, the urge for a Simmons-like blockbuster has never been louder. The Pacers are my bet right now.