NBA Trade Deadline Roundtable: Ben Simmons on the move; bold predictions

Who will be the biggest name to be traded?

Saenz: John Collins. Ultimately, I don’t believe we’re going to see the rumored Ben Simmons for James Harden deal that many are expected. I believe Collins is going to be traded.

Dan Knitzer, contributor: Ben Simmons or Bradley Beal, but probably Domantas Sabonis or Jerami Grant.

David Bernal, contributor: Ben Simmons.

After being firmly in the camp that believed Sixers general manager Daryl Morey would wait until at least the offseason to trade his erstwhile star, I now believe we’ll see Simmons moved before the deadline.

While Morey’s reluctance to part with Simmons for 80 cents on the dollar for an immediate return was tied to the belief that the fourth-year player was the last major asset Philadelphia possessed to reshape their roster during Joel Embiid’s prime, the team’s recent 11-5 hot streak, coupled with the instability at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, should be enough to convince More and company that the Sixers are one piece away from having a legitimate shot at hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy in June.

Even if they lose future flexibility in dealing Simmons now, why wait for a shot at future contention, when that future could be now?

Alex Mcewen, contributor: Russell Westbrook. As much as I want to say Ben Simmons, I can’t see a deal getting done involving Simmons on Thursday or before. Westbrook on the other hand, I think the Lakers compile just enough assets to move on from Russ, will it make them better? I’ll elaborate later on.