NBA Trade Rumors: 3 ideal returns for Ben Simmons
Through 33 games, the Philadelphia 76ers sit at 17-16, one game over .500. If they want to have any chance at a playoff run this season, they’re going to have to bite the bullet and trade Ben Simmons.
What was once a promising core of Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, and Joel Embiid is no more. With Butler thriving in south beach and Simmons practically forcing his way out of the city of brotherly love, the 76ers will need to find an adequate trade partner.
General manager Daryl Morey has expressed his patience on the matter, saying this situation could take as many as four years, the remaining amount of years on his contract. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that the former all-star and defensive player of the year candidate will be traded, but it wasn’t always this way.
Going into the season, the Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff and front office expected Simmons to join back with the team despite being called out by both Embiid and coach Doc Rivers after the team’s game seven loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Ultimately, he attended a few team practices, got kicked out of one for not being engaged enough, and has since been absent due to a mental health issue.
This holdout seems to be a permanent one, as nearly all hopes of Simmons rejoining the team have gone by the wayside. Even if he were to have a change of heart, both his teammates and the Philadelphia crowd would likely not welcome him back, as he’s one of the most hated athletes in a very passionate fanbase.
Now, the 76ers have the difficult task of finding a trade partner when they have little to no leverage. Every team in the league knows they need to trade Simmons, as a return for him would improve their current roster considerably.
Forming a defacto big three with Embiid, Tobias Harris, and a third ‘star’ player could bring Philadelphia back into championship contentions, especially with the development of young point guard Tyrese Maxey.
With all that being said, let’s look at three ideal returns for Simmons.