Ten Made-Up Ben Simmons Trades
10 trades divided into three tiers.
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So, here we are. The NBA finals are getting ready to start next week, and we’re here discussing fake trades involving one of the Sixers’ franchise cornerstones after a disastrous playoff collapse.
This is not where anyone hoped we would be, but such is the reality. With the news that the Sixers are fielding offers on Simmons, I’ve decided to come up with 10 fake Ben Simmons trade offers that could come in from teams around the league -- essentially, the trade finder function on 2K.
To be extra clear: these are 100 percent made up, and not based on any reporting.
I’ve categorized them into three tiers, as well, separated by my relative willingness to agree to each deal. Let’s begin.
Tier No. 1: A definitive yes
Trade #1
Blazers get: Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, Tyrese Maxey, 2021 first round pick (28th overall), 2023 unprotected first round pick, 2027 unprotected first round pick
Sixers get: Damian Lillard, Nassir Little
The bones of this trade are similar to what we can assume the Rockets were looking for from the Sixers during the James Harden negotiations -- the reporting has indicated that they wanted both Thybulle and Maxey, in addition to Simmons and a couple of first round picks.
This is an absolute motherlode offer, but it’s consistent with the asking price for superstar trades of the recent past, like Harden, Anthony Davis, or even Paul George. It would hurt to lose out on the promising futures of Thybulle and Maxey, but this is a deal that you absolutely do. Lillard and Embiid would win a championship together.
Trade #2
Bulls get: Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, 2021 first round pick (28th overall), 2023 first round pick (lottery protected)
Sixers get: Zach LaVine, Al-Farouq Aminu
LaVine is an incredible talent, but is on an expiring contract next season, and has not yet proven capable of being a cornerstone of a winning franchise. I am bullish on him -- the ascensions of Devin Booker and Trae Young in these playoffs should show that calling elite shot creators “losing players” is a fool’s errand -- but there are still holes that you could poke in his potential trade value. Hence, why the Sixers’ package here is significantly cheaper than the one for Lillard. No Thybulle, no Maxey, and less draft capital.
I could easily see Chicago talking themselves into this deal. They have a stretch five (Nik Vucevic) who would fit well with Simmons, they might balk at a potential LaVine extension, and they’d get two first round picks and a solid young guard out of the deal, as well. I’d consider this one of the most likely deals on the list.
Trade #3
Wizards get: Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, Tyrese Maxey, 2021 first round pick (28th overall), 2023 first round pick (top-10 protected), 2027 first round pick (top-3 protected)
Sixers get: Bradley Beal
I figured I should include this since everyone will fantasize about Beal trades, though I don’t want to spend much time analyzing this because there’s zero indication that the Wizards are trading Beal this offseason.
In terms of the package here, it is essentially the same as the Lillard package, but Milton instead of Thybulle, and with more protection on the draft picks.
Tier No. 2: You do it, but it’s not cause for celebration
Trade #4
Blazers get: Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, 2021 second round pick (58th overall)
Sixers get: C.J. McCollum, Robert Covington
I’ve gotten pushback every time I’ve suggested a McCollum-Simmons swap, and I think Sixers fans are underselling McCollum. He’s 29, but he’s generally been very durable, he shoots nine (!) 3s per game, and he’s a solid passer. The other advantage of this type of trade is that the Sixers could keep their young studs in Maxey and Thybulle, and would also not lose any draft pick of value.
McCollum’s defense is a concern, but with Covington coming back in the deal, you help offset some of the loss of Simmons. It’s not as if the Sixers would lose all of their defensive swagger -- any time your rotation includes all of Thybulle, Covington, Danny Green, and Joel Embiid, you are going to be a very good defensive team. The infusion of McCollum and Covington’s willingness to hoist 3s would also give the Sixers maximum space around Embiid.
This trade likely leads to a minor step backwards in terms of the regular season, but a legitimate step forward in terms of the postseason. McCollum has had some playoff issues himself, but he hasn’t averaged less than 20 points per game in any playoff series in the past five seasons. Also, he shoots 3s and even tries to dunk the ball when he is wide open.
Trade #5
Thunder get: Anthony Edwards, Ricky Rubio
Timberwolves get: Ben Simmons, Sixers’ 2023 second round pick
Sixers get: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aleksej Pokusevski
This one feels a bit unlikely -- I don’t know if Minnesota is moving Anthony Edwards -- but with the report that the Timberwolves want Simmons “badly” I figured I should include one potential deal in which they land him.
In this trade, each team gets something they want. The Sixers get a 22-year-old lead ball handler with All-Star potential, luxury tax relief, as well as a flyer on Aleksej Pokusevski, the Wolves get their guy in Simmons, and the Thunder get a blue chip young player in Edwards who fits their timeline a bit better than SGA.
I think this deal makes a ton of sense for the Sixers and Thunder, but the Timberwolves’ end is going to come down entirely to how badly they want Simmons. There is absolutely no chance that they’re getting Simmons with D’Angelo Russell or Malik Beasley as the centerpiece; it has to be Edwards.
Trade #6
Kings get: Ben Simmons, 2021 first round pick (28th overall), 2022 second round pick
Sixers get: De’Aaron Fox, 2022 unprotected first round pick
This swap… kind of makes sense? Simmons would actually relieve some of the fit issues in Sacramento -- it’s much easier for him to play alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield than it is for Fox. For the Sixers, they get a true lead ball handler who averaged 25 and seven this season.
I’ve also included some draft picks on both sides that weigh more heavily in the Sixers’ favor here -- Sacramento’s unprotected 2022 first rounder could end up anywhere, who knows -- because while I would take Fox over Simmons on the Sixers, Simmons’ list of accolades and achievements compared to Fox’s is much longer. Simmons may shrink in the playoffs, but Fox has never sniffed the playoffs. Fox has All-Star potential, Simmons is a 3-time All-Star. I would expect the Sixers to get some amount of draft capital back in this potential deal; it wouldn’t be a 1-for-1 swap.
Tier No. 3: Eh, maybe just keep him at this point
Trade #7
Cavs get: Ben Simmons
Sixers get: Kevin Love, Collin Sexton, Dylan Windler, 2023 top-10 protected first round pick
I want to be in on Collin Sexton, I just can’t quite get there. The reporting about his locker room presence has never been good, and while his scoring numbers and efficiency are solid, there’s something Westbrook-ian about him that makes me concerned about his ability to fit within an offensive system. Plus, like Fox, his list of accolades compared to Simmons’ is nothing.
The Sixers would also be taking back a negative asset here in Love. While I think he has something left in the tank, he’s barely been healthy and hasn’t played a meaningful minute in three years. Dylan Windler is merely a flyer. I might keep him if this is the best offer.
Trade #8
Spurs get: Ben Simmons
Sixers get: DeMar DeRozan (sign and trade), Dejounte Murray, 2021 first round pick (12th overall)
I like DeRozan, but I think the Sixers can do better than this. He’ll be 32 next year, he’s had a ton of playoff woes, and he doesn’t shoot 3s. Getting Dejounte Murray and a draft pick is nice but doesn’t move the needle for your franchise in any meaningful way. Plus, Murray is another meh shooter in addition to DeRozan. If this is the best deal out there, don’t do it.
Trade #9
Hornets get: Ben Simmons, George Hill
Sixers get: Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier
Stop yelling at me, I didn’t say I would do this, it’s just a proposal. Hayward had a solid bounce back season, and Rozier was a fringe All-Star. You cannot present me with any kind of argument that the Sixers would’ve been worse off against the Hawks with these two on the roster instead of Simmons.
Still, I don’t think I would do it. Hayward plays 50 games a year, Rozier might be somewhat difficult to play with, and his contract expires after this coming season.
Trade #10
Pacers get: Ben Simmons
Sixers get: Caris LeVert, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, 2021 first round pick (13th overall), 2023 first round pick (top-10 protected)
If I were guaranteed Caris LeVert’s long term health, this is an easy yes, but such is not the reality. LeVert hasn’t played more than 50 games since 2017-18.
Getting two solid role players and two first round picks back would be a nice bonus, as well, but with LeVert’s health, you run the risk of two solid role players and two first round picks being all that you get for Simmons. I’d give this one some thought, but ultimately hope for a better deal.