[brid autoplay=”true” video=”809588″ player=”23231″ title=”Chris%20Mannix%20calls%20for%20the%20Sixers%20to%20trade%20Ben%20Simmons%20after%20the%20loss%20to%20Trae%20Young%20and%20the%20Hawks” duration=”100″ description=”Carolyn Manno asks Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated about the future of Ben Simmons with the Philadelphia 76ers following his rough performance in the team’s second-round loss to the Atlanta Hawks.” uploaddate=”2021-06-22″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/809588_t_1624392684.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/809588.mp4″]
After weeks of speculation, it’s now more clear than ever that the Philadelphia 76ers are exploring Ben Simmons trade options.
Rumors came up following Philadelphia’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Playoffs that the 24-year-old Simmons could be moved. The three-time All-Star struggled to the tune of 11.9 points on 34% shooting from the free-throw line during the postseason.
Previously, talk surrounded the possibility that Simmons’ trade value was at an all-time low. Now that things have clarified a bit, that no longer seems to be the case.
Out west, the Sacramento Kings appear to be the latest team linked to Simmons in a potential blockbuster trade this summer.
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, trade packages have been discussed around league circles that would send Ben Simmons to California’s capital city. Below, we look at three ways the Kings could get this done.
Ben Simmons trade to the Sacramento Kings for two former lottery picks
- Kings get: Ben Simmons
- 76ers get: Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III, ninth pick in 2021 NBA Draft, two future first-round picks
“One league source recently told The Sacramento Bee the Kings would have to send a minimum of three first-round picks to the 76ers in a trade constructed around Hield and Bagley,” the aforementioned Anderson noted in his report.
The idea here from Philadelphia’s perspective would likely be to retain Hield as a perimeter threat while moving off Bagley III and multiple picks to find Joel Embiid another true star. The question then becomes whether Sixers front office head Daryl Morey values the ninth pick at a high clip. If Philadelphia’s brass believes it can flip said selection as a centerpiece for another All-Star, this trade might make sense.
From Sacramento’s perspective, being able to acquire Simmons without yielding stud young guards Tyrese Haliburton or De’Aaron Fox would be seen as a major win. Teaming those two up with the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year finalist could finally help the Kings turn things around after last earning a playoff spot back in 2005-06.
Ben Simmons trade to the Sacramento Kings for De’Aaron Fox
- Kings get: Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, George Hill, future first-round pick
- 76ers get: De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes
Now this would be an absolute blockbuster of a trade that could make sense for both teams. Perhaps, Kings general manager Monte McNair views Fox and Haliburton as an uneasy fit given that both are considered ball-dominant point guards. While Simmons has been seen in that same ilk in Philadelphia, there’s some who believe he’s better off playing a natural power forward position. In this scenario, Sacramento adds another impressive defender in Thybulle and a future first-round pick while parting with a franchise cornerstone.
This hypothetical Ben Simmons trade would also be a no-brainer for Philadelphia. Fox, 23, is among the best young guards in the Association. This past season saw him average 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists on 48% shooting from the field. Adding one of the most-underrated three-and-D wings in Harrison Barnes to team up with Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid in the frontcourt would also be seen as a major win.
Ben Simmons dealt to the Sacramento Kings in three-team trade
- Kings get: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry
- 76ers get: Damian Lillard
- Blazers get: Tyrese Haliburton, Marvin Bagley III, Matisse Thybulle, George Hill, three future first-round picks
While seemingly convoluted on the surface, Sacramento’s ability to acquire Ben Simmons might be hinging on a three-team trade. Simply put, Philadelphia is unlikely to take back any player from the Kings’ roster as a centerpiece outside of the aforementioned Fox.
In this scenario, Philadelphia lands the biggest fish that could be on the trade market in Damian Lillard. In the process, it gives up Simmons, Curry, Thybulle and two future first-round picks. That’s whole heck of a lot. But drastic measures might be in order for these 76ers after another premature playoff exit.
In turn, Sacramento picks up a player in Simmons it is coveting while being able to land one of the best pure three-point shooters in the association. The cost? Stud youngster Tyrese Haliburton, castoff Marvin Bagley III and the ninth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. As for Portland, it picks up three first-round picks and multiple potential franchise cornerstones if the team is forced to move off Lillard in a trade this summer.