Finding The Best Ben Simmons Trades Possible
Ben Simmons has been the player under the most scrutiny this offseason. His lack of a jumpshot and aggressiveness has caused him to fall way out of favor among 76ers fans and the writing is on the wall for a trade. The former #1 overall pick day’s in Philadelphia are over.
His coach and his All-Star running mate have essentially thrown him under the bus. Simmons has shut off contact with both Joel Embiid and the 76ers organization. A recent Shams report made it sound like a trade is coming soon and this new revelation suggests that Simmons has formally requested a trade and doesn’t want to play for the 76ers ever again.
With all of that being said, Ben Simmons is still technically a 76er. So today, it’s time to trade Ben Simmons.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to taste their first bit of success since KG left them. They finally have some shreds of hope at making the playoffs, but they aren’t contenders or anything. But they have a lot of assets if they really wanted to go after Ben Simmons, a rumor that has been around there all offseason.
The T-Wolves already have D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, and Malik Beasley scoring wise. Ben Simmons really gives them a lot of defense that they need and I really don’t think it would be a bad move for the T-Wolves.
And the T-Wolves don’t think it’s a bad move either. This was a reported offer from Shams that the T-Wolves gave Philly;
76ers Receive: D’Angelo Russell – Malik Beasley – Jaden McDaniels
T-Wolves Receive: Ben Simmons
If I was Daryl Morey, I would have thought about this deal a little bit more, especially with the fact that you now have little to no leverage over the situation. D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley are two great perimeter scorers that help a lot with the lack of spacing. Jaden McDaniels is a solid young wing who is entering his 2nd season. You might not love the players involved, but are you really going to get something better than this?
I do find it hard to find a deal that is better than this one. If the reports are true that Tyrese Maxey will be involved in a trade, the 76ers could get even more, perhaps a pick like I have it here in this trade. But since the 76ers have lost leverage in the situation, can they get something as good as this? Maybe, maybe not.
On the flip side of things, I really hope Minnesota didn’t offer both Russell and Beasley. Because that would be incredibly stupid. If you want Simmons, one of them is going to have to go. But both of them? That’s a little bit risky.
If a Simmons to Minnesota move would happen, I imagine it would look something like this;
76ers Receive: D’Angelo Russell – Jaden McDaniels – 2024 FRP – 2026 FRP (Lottery Protected)
Timberwolves Receive: Ben Simmons
For the 76ers, you’re getting an immediate offensive upgrade with Russell. He has struggled to stay on the court the last few seasons and hasn’t been the same player since leaving Brooklyn, but he’s a really talented 3 level scorer that helps Embiid a lot spacing wise.
You’re getting a solid wing in Jaden McDaniels and then you’re getting two first round picks. Again, it doesn’t get much better than that.
For the T-Wolves, Ben Simmons will be taking on a huge role. Ricky Rubio was already dealt this offseason and now with D-Lo gone, you need ball handling to go so somebody. Maybe Edwards, Beasley, or Maxey takes it up more, but Ben Simmons will have the ball in his hands a lot more. Maybe this gets him to be more aggressive, adding to his elite, versatile defense that be brings on the other end.
This is a risky move for both sides, but I could totally see both sides saying yes to this move.
If I had to pick places where Ben Simmons would land, Minnesota would be pretty high up there. They’ve been rumored to be in the Ben Simmons sweepstakes for a while now and apparently they’ve made a couple of offers. Not a stretch to see Simmons there in 2022.
(Update: Simmons might want to go to Minnesota, but only if Towns and D-Lo are there. But I think D-Lo would have to go to make this trade work. Still not clear if he wants to go Minnesota or not).
Toronto Raptors
Another team that has been thrown around a lot regarding Simmons is the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors had a turbulent 2021 featuring Covid, playing in Florida, and all around not having a fun time. But 2022 is their bounce back year and maybe Simmons could help them get back to the playoffs.
The only reason the Raptors would do this is if they didn’t believe in the duo of VanVleet + Siakam enough. Maybe they don’t believe in either of them, but if this trade were to happen, one of them would be heading to the place where everybody eats cheesesteaks.
Now there have been a few rumors about a Simmons-Toronto trade. Here was one trade proposal that the 76ers gave to Masai Ujiri;
(Reported Trade Offer)
76ers Receive: Kyle Lowry (S&T) – Fred VanVleet – OG Anunoby – #4 Overall Pick
Raptors Receive: Ben Simmons
Thank god the Raptors rejected this because this is just not what Ben Simmons is worth. I don’t know why Morey and Philadelphia think Simmons is worth this much, he’s not. This was offered just before the draft, but I mean, come on man.
There’s a reason this was declined, but there is a possibility where a simmered down version of this trade does happen. I think that Simmons in Toronto makes sense. They have great coaching and development over there and again, a scenery change could go a long way for all we know in helping unlock Simmons’ potential.
Here’s a trade package Toronto could potentially do for Simmons;
76ers Receive: Fred VanVleet – Chris Boucher – 2022 FRP
Raptors Receive: Ben Simmons
For the 76ers, you’re getting good stuff here. Fred VanVleet is a pretty good shooter and defender and a good floor general. I like him as a player and he’s under contract for multiple years, which is obviously good. Chris Boucher would be a better backup than Drummond, but he’s a free agent after this season, so he could just be a rental. The first round pick is a good sweetener.
If I’m the Raptors, this is a good haul back if I were to accept. Ben Simmons and Siakam as a forward tandom is interesting, but I’m sure Nick Nurse can come up with something. I think that a change of scenery could help Simmons a lot.
So while the Raptors are losing VanVleet, a backcourt with Gary Trent, Ben Simmons, and Malachi Flynn is very interesting and very fun. I like the idea of mixing and matching those 3 around and I would love to see Simmons’ role with this team and it’s great coaching.
If I’m the Raptors, I would think about doing this trade. They could obviously just want to keep VanVleet + Siakam together, but I mean, it’s not crazy to think that this could happen. Maybe the Raptors pull the trigger on this trade and if I’m Philly, if you’re not getting a superstar, this is the next closest thing.
Portland Trail Blazers
Now, here is a question I have to ask myself before I write this. Do I, a Blazers fan, want Ben Simmons? Now see, that is a really tough question to ask. My Blazers have been disappointing for a long time and with Dame trade rumors putting a dark cloud over the franchise, and Ben Simmons move could kickstart a rebuild.
Now, I will not be doing a Damian Lillard for Ben Simmons trade. Dame is not going to request a trade before the season starts. My guess is it will be sometime next year or maybe even at the trade deadline this year. Sorry 76er fans, you’re not getting my guy just yet.
Here’s a trade package that would send Simmons to the Rose City without Damian Lillard heading East. Again, don’t think Philly would accept this, but I can dream;
76ers Receive: CJ McCollum – 2023 FRP – 2026 Protected FRP
Blazers Receive: Ben Simmons
For the 76ers, you’re not getting a superstar caliber player, but CJ McCollum isn’t bad or anything. While you lose a lot of defense, McCollum has averaged 20+ ppg for 6 straight seasons. Over that 6 season span, he’s averaged 22 ppg on 56% TS. In Portland, he’s not the best 2nd option. But he would be the perfect 3rd option behind Harris & Embiid.
For my Blazers, I kind of like this move. Ben Simmons gives you a lot of much needed defensive versatility. He would be a great secondary ball handler alongside Damian Lillard and his addition would make the starting lineup a lot bigger than having 3 guards in it. Simmons would have a lot more easy opportunities with all that space on the floor and he could flourish.
It would be weird for sure, but I mean not impossible to think of Ben Simmons coming to Portland. Obviously the 76ers might not want a trade to Portland that doesn’t include Damian Lillard, but CJ McCollum is an ideal 3rd option for them behind Harris and Embiid.
Since the 76ers have lost a lot of leverage in the Simmons trade saga, a move for a borderline All-Star instead of a superstar is a lot more realistic now, whether they like it or not.
As a Blazers fan, really wouldn’t be mad at this. Simmons brings us defense and offensively, we’re already pretty loaded. Simmons helps our defense a lot and it’s not like the 76ers are getting fleeced. They’re getting two first round picks and they’re getting a great 3rd option.
Not to get ahead of myself or anything, but this sounds like a win-win move.
Sacramento Kings
Similar to the T-Wolves, the Kings haven’t been good in forever. They haven’t made the playoffs in 15 years and while they also have their first shred of hope in a long time, they aren’t exactly a lock for the playoffs. Their roster looks good, but the coaching and defense do not.
Like Minnesota, if the Kings want to go all in, a move for Ben Simmons would help in that department. Not to mention that Kings GM Monte McNair seemingly gave a slight nod to a Kings fan saying that they should trade for Ben Simmons. Might mean something, you never know.
The Kings have a lot of options to trade for Simmons and the trade I’m going to propose certainly isn’t the only way this move could be done. But this would be my ideal Ben Simmons to Sacramento trade deal;
76ers Receive: Buddy Hield – Davion Mitchell – 2025 Protected FRP
Kings Receive: Ben Simmons
For the 76ers, again, it’s not a superstar, but Buddy Hield is a really good player. The Kings have tried to trade him before, but he’s been one of the best shooters in the NBA for a while now. He’ll give you 15-20 points a night and good spacing, which is realistically all you’re looking for in return.
Davion Mitchell is a rookie and should become an elite defender. The Kings have a log jam at guard and trading both of these guys would help clear that up. I doubt the Kings trade Mitchell before he’s even payed a game, but he should be elite next to a guy like Matisse Thybulle on the perimeter.
You also get a pick, so that’s pretty cool.
For the Kings, you get an elite defender and an upgrade over Marvin Bagley at the power forward position. It won’t hurt to lose Buddy Hield because you’ve tried to trade him multiple times already. Losing Davion Mitchell before he’s ever played a game before does hurt, but this is the textbook definition of a win-now move.
Simmons and Fox together? I like the sound of that and he could work really well with the Kings, a team that lacks defense and likes to play fast. He fits them like a glove and I really like his fit, if the Kings are willing to do this trade of course.
But in all fairness, I don’t know if the Kings want to part ways with Davion Mitchell. Unless they want to give up Harrison Barnes or Marvin Bagley, who I’m not sure the Kings want, they might have to trade their lottery pick from this past season.
But I could see it happening. Simmons wants to go to California and while I’m sure the Kings aren’t what he had in mind, it is still technically California.
(Ben’s new Twitter banner thing is a crown. It’s happening)
Indiana Pacers
For my final Ben Simmons trade destination, I have the Indiana Pacers. A couple of months ago, the 76ers rejected a trade package from the Pacers. So Indiana has been somewhat involved in the Ben Simmons trade rumors this summer and it does kind of make sense for them to pick him up.
The Pacers have good talent, but no superstars. They aren’t a stacked team and getting Simmons would give them more upper echelon talent to try and do real damage in the East. The Pacers have had good teams over the past few seasons but haven’t got much to show for it. So perhaps adding Simmons would give them the firepower they need to finally win a playoff series.
Now, as I said earlier, the Pacers and 76ers tried to make a trade. This happened back in early July, so about two months ago. This was one of the first reported Ben Simmons trades, so this was kind of like the bar for what other teams thought they should be giving up for Ben Simmons. Here’s said trade;
76ers Receive: Malcolm Brogdon – FRP
Pacers Receive: Ben Simmons
As you can see, the Pacers didn’t think highly of Simmons and I’m kind of glad they declined this. Even though I think the 76ers are asking for way too much for Simmons, this is too low. Not to say that Brogdon is bad or anything, but I certainly think that Daryl Morey can get more out a trade with the Pacers.
The Pacers have a lot of assets that are moveable, these pieces are good and they’re contracts are really team friendly. The only downside to most of Indiana’s players is that they’re going to be free agents in the next 1-2 years. Only Sabonis is locked up for 2+ years, so whoever Philly wants to get, they might not exactly be there long term.
With that being said, the Pacers have a lot of good assets on good contracts who aren’t really old or anything. There are a lot of ways I could see a potential trade going down, but here’s what I got;
76ers Receive: Malcolm Brogdon – TJ Warren – Jeremy Lamb
Pacers Receive: Ben Simmons – Seth Curry – 2022 FRP – 2026 Protected FRP
Now look, I know this is weird. I doubt 76ers fans want to give up picks on top of Ben Simmons, but hear me out, alright? In this trade, both sides are getting a lot.
For Philly, you’re getting 3 really good players. Malcolm Brogdon is a great, efficient 3-level scorer who can also pass well. TJ Warren is a talented wing scorer. Jeremy Lamb offers even more scoring off the bench for the 76ers. That’s a lot of offense, but there is one problem.
Brogdon becomes a free agent in 2023, so he’s under contract for 2 years. But both Warren and Lamb are expiring contracts. They can help the 76ers now, but I doubt they’re there long term. But all 3 of these guys give Joel Embiid a lot more scoring and the offense becomes a lot better.
For the Pacers, you’re kind of blowing things up a lot. You keep the younger Levert, Sabonis, and Turner as your new core. Simmons can play point guard more and help a Pacers defense that has been held up by Myles Turner over the past few seasons.
Rick Carlisle is a good coach, so Simmons should be good. Seth Curry gives you a lot of shooting and scoring. Plus, two first round picks in your back pocket. Not a bad move. The Pacers might not become like better or anything in 2022, but they’re capitalizing on two expiring contracts to take a chance on Simmons, who just has a lot of potential is used right.
Ben Simmons to Indiana is interesting. The Pacers have a lot of assets but they’re not exactly contenders. Key role guys like Warren and Lamb are expiring, so swinging a big move for Simmons could work out in the long run. The Pacers might get worse in the short-term, but it should work out long term.
Meanwhile, the 76ers get a couple of really good rentals in Warren and Lamb who give the 76ers a lot more offense. Brogdon is a very underrated point guard and the 76ers offense becomes a lot better for 2022, where they hope the Nets get hurt and they can contend.
Again, a Ben Simmons trade to Indiana might just work out for both sides and if it were to happen, it would certainly be interesting.
So there you have it. These are the 5 teams I think Ben Simmons will be moved to. Now before you say the Warriors, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Unless they come out of nowhere, they have never really been in the Ben Simmons sweepstakes and I don’t see anybody pushing Ben Simmons to Golden State agenda anyway, so I’m going to assume it’s not going to happen.
But if I had to guess, I would love for him to come to Portland. He would make us a lot better, but I highly doubt that’s going to happen. Minnesota is a likely destination, maybe Indiana. I could see him ending up in all 5 of these places, but Minnesota is definitely my frontrunner as of right now.
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