Tough for Sixers to trade Ben Simmons to Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s been recently rumored that the Cleveland Cavaliers are still interested in the Philadelphia 76ers‘ All-Star Ben Simmons. The Cavaliers have long been a team connected to Simmons, but it hasn’t gained momentum until recently.
Simmons would make sense on a defensive-minded team like Cleveland. He gives their perimeter defense more flexibility and another legit playmaker alongside Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio. The Cavaliers (Cavs) also have some big man on the roster who can stretch the floor for Simmons on offense. That being written, making a trade with the Cavs would be a hard order to complete for the Sixers.
Tricky for the Sixers to trade Simmons to Cleveland.
From who the Sixers could get in return for Simmons, Cleveland doesn’t have many interesting players. Garland and Evan Mobley are clearly off the table and understandably so. Collin Sexton is injured and with the emergence of Tyrese Maxey, Sexton isn’t as valuable to the 76ers now as he once was.
As great as a bounce-back season Kevin Love is having, he’s a high-quality backup stretch big man at this point in his career. Lauri Markkanen isn’t nearly worth Simmons’ value either. The only option is to get a third team involved.
Despite playing at an All-Star level, Jarrett Allen would be the ideal player to move in a three-team trade as his fit with Simmons is less than ideal. The only problem is that according to Fanspo.com Allen won’t be able to trade until after this season because he signed a new deal this offseason with his Bird Rights.
With that in mind, Cleveland might not care about the offensive woes Simmons and Allen could cause for them and try it anyway. The other option for them might be to wait to make a trade until this offseason so that Allen can be moved. Regardless, it’s a tricky situation for Clevland and Philly.
As of right now, it will be extremely hard for the Sixers and the Cavs to make Simmons trade, especially this season.