After the Sixers' recent exit from the postseason, one things seems certain: Ben Simmons will be traded.
So, why can't it be to the Celtics?
There is no getting around the complications when it comes to a potential deal involving the polarizing Philadelphia guard and Boston. First of all, we're talking two teams that are butting heads in the Eastern Conference. Secondly, Simmons' owns a hefty five-year, $177 million deal. And, finally, we are talking about a very complicated skill-set.
Great defender. Really good facilitator. Awesome in the open court. Scoring potential? Yikes.
This is a player who ATTEMPTED just three fourth-quarter shots in his team's recent seven-game series.
But is there any question that the Celtics, with the scoring of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, wouldn't be a better fit for Simmons' skill-set while the former first overall pick tries and figure out how to shoot?
So we asked Rich Keefe of the Gresh & Keefe Show to take a stab at a trade proposal that might work when it came to getting Simmons to the Celtics. He came up with a pretty good one:
Celtics get: Ben Simmons.
Sixers get: Marcus Smart and Evan Fournier (sign-and-trade, of course).
There might be an inclination to include a draft pick in the deal considering Smart's expiring contract, but that won't be a difference-maker either way. The simple fact is that for the 2021-22 season, this makes both teams better.
Thoughts?