NBA Trade Rumors: 3 ideal returns for Ben Simmons

Philadelphia 76ers return for Ben Simmons No.2: De’Aaron Fox

The Sacramento Kings have missed the playoffs in 15 straight seasons, by far the longest active streak. They’re looking to end that drought again this season, but it seems unlikely, as they currently sit at 13-21, 12th in the Western Conference.

They’ve already fired former coach Luke Walton due to performance, with interim coach Alvin Gentry taking his place. Nonetheless, the Kings have struggled to remain relevant throughout the past decade, sitting at the bottom of the West for the majority of that time.

They currently have three lottery pick point guards on the roster, in De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and Davion Mitchell. Fox is in his fifth year with the team, coming off his best season, averaging 25.2 points and 7.2 assists on 47.7 percent shooting. It may be beneficial for the Kings to deal Fox while his value is still high, considering Sacramento seems nowhere near playoff contention anywhere soon.

By dealing him, it would free up more playing time for Haliburton and Mitchell, both of whom are promising young talents.

Although Fox is having an abysmal shooting year in his 2021-22 campaign (25.8% from distance), he provides a transition element that was lost in the departure of Simmons. Considering this is De’Aaron’s first year of his five-year max deal, the combination of Embiid and Fox could be the next duo for Philadelphia to build around.

The 76ers may also be able to get shooter Buddy Hield in the deal, who would help out their spacing in the starting lineup. With both Fox and Embiid on the court, the Sixers will need to surround them with as much shooting as possible, something that Hield specializes in.