Practically everything about the Ben Simmons situation is up in the air right now, save for the idea that it really doesn't seem like we're going to see him suit up in a Sixers uniform any time soon. He was recently fined yet again by the team for failing to travel with them on their road trip, and we haven't really heard anything that would indicate that he's closer to getting himself back in the right mental state to step on the court and rejoin his teammates.
But aside from that, anything can happen. He could be traded. He could have lowered his value so, so, so much that a trade is nearly impossible to find for the right price. He could decide to reappear on the floor for the Sixers after the deadline in order to get his value up once again and find a trade next time around. He could start practicing his free throws and three-pointers with such grit and determination that he becomes a competent shooter, rejoins the team without a hitch and with a newly improved stroke, and co-leads the squad with Joel Embiid on a run of Eastern Conference domination for years to come.
But probably not that one.
A new report adds some new intrigue to all of the drama. According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, there is a list of "approximately 30 players who would satisfy the Sixers in a Simmons swap, and there's an internal belief that a fair amount of them — let's say five to 10 — could become available in the next year or two." The next year or two, for just a part of the 30-man list, means that this isn't a solution that Daryl Morey and the Sixers are rushing to find, nor should it be. Though they're struggling right now amid a COVID-19 outbreak, the team was off to a fantastic start without Simmons — attributing much of that to chemistry that is “very different from the previous years” — and they don't necessarily need to sell Simmons low to add some good but not great pieces to the equation.
So we're going to speculate on this list. We have a head start — Amick mentions that three superstars who were/are frequently linked to Simmons remain near the top of the list — and we're going to keep it realistic. Yes, I'm sure that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant would satisfy the team's trade demands for Simmons, but why would we even bother mentioning them? Also, this list isn't meant to represent a bunch of one-for-one trade ideas. A player could be mentioned as the centerpiece of such a deal, though other assets would need to be included on one or both sides for reasons such as finances, talent and more.
And if some of the players seem underwhelming based on Morey's past demands, that's because they probably are. Eventually, Simmons' value to both Morey and to other teams has to fall to a realistic level, right? It's also important to remember that a Simmons trade isn't necessarily the final move; rather, it could be a stepping stone toward a much bigger package using new assets gained.
So, yeah. The list. Let's do it. And if a Simmons trade occurs and it doesn't involve one of these players... welp. That would be embarrassing.
The top of the list (in no particular order)
Damian Lillard
The main prize. Though he's said that he wants to stay in Portland time and time again, he's always going to be at or near the top of Daryl Morey's list, as Amick's reporting indicates. And who knows? What if the Blazers' 8-8 start is true to how their whole entire season plays out, with the star guard coming to the chilling realization that he really might not be able to take home a championship in his current surroundings?
Bradley Beal
Another one supposedly near the top of the list, and for good reason. A shot-creating stud who can create offense for himself and others is quite literally what the 76ers are looking to put alongside Embiid. No one saw the Wizards' first-place start coming, but it could cool off this year, or next year, when Beal is faced with his impending free agency, and that's when he may finally want out.
James Harden
This one likely would be one of those wait-and-see approaches from the 76ers. I really don't think the Nets are making moves right now, but there's no way the Sixers wouldn't at least entertain the possibility if there's some sort of early playoff exit or chemistry issue in Brooklyn that develops prior to Harden's free agency in 2023.
Jaylen Brown
Though the Celtics reportedly rolled their eyes and politely told the 76ers to *bleep* off when Brown's name was brought up in the discussion, this was at least something of a rumored possibility as a trade. Who's to say that Boston won't continue to struggle and that the Brown-Tatum pairing really isn't meant to be? Brown would be an incredible fit in Philly, and boy would this make the Philly-Boston rivalry fun to watch.
Kyrie Irving
Irving comes with his own baggage, but you can't deny that his electric scoring abilities and his playoff experience would fit right in alongside Embiid and the rest of the squad. This is another deal that's been speculated on quite a bit, but it seems like there are just too many off-court issues right now for either organization to really want to take the bait.
Zach LaVine
I feel like it's almost not worth speculating about this one anymore, considering the Bulls are off to a roaring hot start and the foursome of LaVine, Nic Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball are bringing the excitement of good basketball back to Chicago. But there's no doubt that, if something were to happen and LaVine wanted out, Morey would bring everything he's got to get that deal done. LaVine is an impending free agent after this season.
The rest of the list (almost) (and in alphabetical order)
OG Anunoby
One of three Raptors on this list, Anunoby is off to the best start of his career, averaging over 20 points per game and showing off his multi-dimensional skill set on the floor. NBA writer Marc Stein speculated that he could potentially be a centerpiece of a package if the Sixers pursued a Raptors deal.
RJ Barrett
The Knicks might not want to give up Barrett, seeing as he's really, really young and could take a big step up to fulfill that No. 3 overall pick expectation. But from the Sixers' perspective, he's got the scoring chops and the upside to be an All-NBA player one day, with his defensive prowess the key in such a deal. Losing Simmons hurts defensively, and Barrett would go a long way in bringing that back. Salary matching would be another tough thing to work around here.
Malcolm Brogdon
The Pacers signed Brogdon to a two-year extension, ending any trade speculation that was there, at least for this season — and there was speculation there, though Morey made it pretty clear that Brogdon or Caris LeVert (we'll get him to later) didn't move the needle that much. But don't you think the Sixers would value Brogdon's combo guard versatility and his 22.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game right about now?
Jalen Brunson (and a lot more)
Bear with me. Brunson doesn't sound all that exciting on his own — and Morey wouldn't even bat an eye unless a whole lot more was offered — but don't underestimate the 25-year-old's upside. His 31-point, 10-rebound double-double earlier this season is an impressive stat line to post while sharing the floor with Luka Doncic, and it's a game like this one that makes me think he could be a 20-25 PPG scorer as a combo guard in the Philly offense. Heck, what if he ends this year with such a stat line and ascends into a higher level of stardom? The Mavs have some other players and future assets that could fit in. Also, Brunson is a Philly guy. We love that.
De'Aaron Fox
Fox is off to a pretty rough start, shooting just 41.2 percent from the field and 24.3 percent from deep. Maybe that's a good thing for the Sixers, though they'd probably like to acquire someone playing a little bit better. It was reported that the Kings weren't willing to include Fox or Tyrese Haliburton (we'll get to him later) earlier in the year, but that was then. Remember, this is a potentially long timeline for Philly.
Darius Garland
Another player that is coveted by his team, the Cavs might think that Garland is truly their point guard of the future. But there are also murmurs that he isn't untouchable, and the Sixers would love his three-point capabilities and ball facilitation skills. In August of 2020, the Cavs were reportedly trying to get Simmons with a Garland-centric package.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Probably wishful thinking here. I don't really know why the Thunder would want to move their 23-year-old guard, though it's possible that he has reached his ceiling early. If he doesn't improve all that much over the course of the next couple of seasons, maybe Sam Presti will want to move in a different direction as the rebuilding process continues, and SGA's shot-creation abilities in the backcourt would be fun to watch in Philly.
Side note: maybe the Thunder acquire Simmons in return for, like, 17 draft picks? Which is maybe half of their supply? That would be kind of cool.
Draymond Green
While Klay Thompson would definitely be the more enticing trade piece from the Warriors — and who knows, maybe Klay is somewhere on Morey's list — it feels like he has a much smaller chance of leaving the Bay Area than his longtime teammate. Perhaps he could be a part of a three-team deal that doesn't necessarily send him to Philly but to Portland, as Damian Lillard is reportedly "obsessed" with getting Green to join him on the Blazers. Needless to say, Green isn't in the same mold as other players on this list, but it's not like it'd hurt Philly to have him and whatever other pieces would be involved in such a trade.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, yeah, untouchable, yada yada. Whether or not Morey is interested, he should be interested in the idea of acquiring a young but productive combo guard with ~40 percent three-point shooting and a lot of upside. A lot of work to do in the salary matching department, too, but Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes both have big salaries... and who knows who else might be under contract at the point when the Kings are hypothetically ready to let Haliburton walk?
Tyler Herro
Miami feels like a place where Simmons would be willing to go, reuniting with Jimmy Butler (ha) and enjoying the lavish life of beaches and clubbing and all that good stuff. But Miami also doesn't feel like the right basketball culture for Simmons, to be honest. Regardless, if Herro for some reason became a trade chip after what has been an awesome 2021-22 campaign so far, the Sixers would undoubtedly be interested in his shooting abilities and his youth. The Heat were mentioned as a dark horse Simmons candidate this summer.
Buddy Hield
A good shooter with a fairly hefty contract fits the bill here in terms of a realistic acquisition. It doesn't feel like Hield is anywhere close to the value that Morey is seeking, but I could see him being featured in some sort of deal that involves the Kings and another team.
Jrue Holiday
Bring back Jrue! Why the Bucks would want to see Simmons playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo on the offensive end is a question for another day, but man would it be awesome to see Holiday and his calm, cool, collected play and lockdown defense back in the city that drafted him. And by the way, it's not like Simmons and Antetokounmpo would be bad together. Good luck going up against that pair of defenders. The salaries also happen to match up pretty well, here.
Brandon Ingram
New Orleans might just need to blow this whole thing up. I don't care that Williamson hasn't played yet this season. I can't envision the 2-14 Pelicans doing all that much this season even when their big man is back. Maybe he gets frustrated and bring Williamsonsanity — that doesn't work as well as Linsanity — to New York. Maybe Ingram, in turn, wants to get out and joins a Sixers team where his spindly frame and three-point stroke could work wonders. And maybe Simmons is the guy to build around for a Pelicans team desperate for answers, with a similar salary to boot. Maybe, maybe, maybe.
Caris LeVert
He wasn't enticing enough the first time around, but maybe he will be down the road. He can still score in bunches, though his three-point shot has disappeared on him since joining Indiana, and Morey would likely — no, definitely — need a lot more if a deal was centered around LeVert.
Kyle Lowry
Not the most exciting, but worth mentioning because of all the buzz last season when his stay in Toronto was coming to an end. Again, there's the question of the Heat culture wanting to work with someone like Simmons, but Lowry's homecoming to Philly has always been talked about, and it feels like he'd be joined by some other pieces should Morey want to pursue him.
CJ McCollum
The closest name in this column to jumping up to the top of the list, his fit would undoubtedly be a good one in Philly. A Lehigh grad and a proven sharpshooter with a number of big moments throughout his career, McCollum would give the Sixers exactly what they're looking for. And if Lillard is "obsessed" with playing with Green, Simmons offers a lot of the same. I'd do this deal straight up if I had the chance. I'm just not sure the Sixers or the Blazers would. The salaries also match up pretty well here.
Dejounte Murray
No trade chip is brighter for the Spurs than Murray, and they'd almost assuredly have to give up their 25-year-old guard if they wanted to pursue Simmons. But under Gregg Popovich, you'd have to think that Simmons would flourish. Meanwhile, Murray's versatility — he's averaging nearly a triple-double in what has been a breakout 2021-22 campaign — would be an ideal fit in Philly. Salary matching is another issue.
Jamal Murray
The Sixers were thriving to start the season without Simmons on the court. The Nuggets were and are thriving to start the season without Murray on the court, as he continues to recover from his torn ACL. Denver surely misses his services out there, but maybe they realize that their offense is good enough without him and they'd like to bolster their defensive versatility with a player like Simmons. Murray and Simmons also have practically the same contract, in both years and value.
D'Angelo Russell
Would the Sixers likely rather go for Karl-Anthony Towns or Anthony Edwards? Yes. But are the T-Wolves willing to give either of those players up? I don't think so. Russell then becomes the next best option, though not the most thrilling one, and Morey would need to add on a good amount more to become enticed by this idea. Minnesota has been a big team in the Simmons sweepstakes all along, however, so they could probably be pushed.
Collin Sexton
An untimely meniscus tear might actually have been a blessing in disguise for Sexton, who was shooting a paltry 24.4 percent from beyond the arc to start the season and averaging a career-low 16.0 points per game. Now, he gets some time off and can recalibrate things. And when his shot is on, he can score in bunches and create his own opportunities as well as anyone, which Philly obviously should find appealing. There'd need to be some work done to match salaries in a Sexton-centered deal.
Pascal Siakam
Remember when he was a legitimate MVP candidate in his breakout, All-NBA 2019-20 season? It doesn't feel like he quite has that same value anymore, and the Raptors feel, to me, like they're in a weird in-between for contention and mediocrity. Maybe a shake-up is in store, and of the three Raptors on this list — the third one's next up — he might hold the most value. His contract also lines up value-wise with Simmons.
Fred VanVleet
From undrafted free agent to a four-year, $85 million contract and a league lead in minutes per game. What a story... but will he want to stick with the Raptors if they don't return to the top of the Eastern Conference soon? FVV has a player option after the 2022-23 season, but he could play himself into a better contract and look to move somewhere with higher playoff hopes.
Andrew Wiggins
Along the same lines as D'Angelo Russell, this one probably doesn't move the needle for Morey if it doesn't even move the needle for me. With that said, Wiggins does a little bit of everything, and the Warriors have some other young assets that they might be willing to move with him, even if that's not the case right now. He's headed for free agency after the 2022-23 season.
Let's go crazy
LeBron James
Can't we dream? Is there a world in which LeBron and the Lakers continue to struggle and the Hall of Famer, opting not to sign an extension in L.A., decides he wants to try and win a ring elsewhere while he's still got some fuel left in the tank? Would Joel Embiid, likely toward the end of his peak window, be his best partner-in-crime with which to achieve his goal? Would we, as Sixers fans, even want that to happen?
Meh.
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