The Philadelphia 76ers will have to remain patient in their trade talks for 25-year old All-Star Ben Simmons as they have big plans in mind–i.e. Damian Lillard–but if they can’t land Lillard, there will have to be a backup plan.
While Philadelphia would probably welcome the young star back for the 2021-22 season, there is some belief that Simmons does not want to return to the Sixers. In this case, there will have to be some type of move made to keep everybody happy.
In a new trade suggestion put out by Bleacher Report, the Sixers are sending Simmons to the Sacramento Kings in a 3-team deal that also involves the San Antonio Spurs. The deal would send Simmons to the Kings, Sacramento would then send Buddy Hield, and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2025 to Philadelphia while also sending Marvin Bagley III and Davion Mitchell to San Antonio, the Spurs would send Derrick White and a pick swap to Sacramento.
B/R on the Sixers’ side of the deal:
The Sixers will want more value for Simmons. That’s a tough ask right now, on the heels of his vanishing attack during the conference semifinals and given his apparent distaste for staying put.
Hield would significantly open up the half-court offense, and Derrick White is a pesky wing defender who can guard up and absorb reps at point. The Kings wouldn’t profile as contenders with Simmons alone, so those two additional first-rounders can create other trade opportunities for the Sixers. The 2025 pick also disentangles them from the Stepien Rule bind they’re in with their 2025 draft obligation to Oklahoma City.
The Kings reportedly have interest in acquiring Simmons as there is pressure building within Sacramento’s organization to win. That is where the Sixers will have to decide if the Kings have enough to make a deal happen on their end.
On paper, this is not a deal the Sixers should take. They have their eyes set on Lillard and even though there is a lot going on with Simmons, it would benefit Philadelphia more to try and fix the relationship and bring him back rather than just trade him for pennies on the dollar.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!