What are the Philadelphia 76ers going to do with Ben Simmons? That may be the biggest question of the 2021 NBA offseason. According to Jason Dumas of KRON 4 News, the Sixers are fielding offers for the 24-year-old defender, but they want an All-Star in return.
Simmons would be an intriguing player for a team like the Kings, but clearly they don’t have an All-Star to send back in return. Sacramento might not even have a package that would be as enticing as the one Dumas reported was rejected, which included Malcolm Brogdon and a first-round selection from the Indiana Pacers.
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The issue that Philly might have is that no offer comes in that includes an All-Star player. In the NBA, a player is worth what someone is willing to pay for him.
Simmons’ issues in the playoffs and his coach and teammates’ reaction to his performance were on full display for all to see. His reputation as a player took a tremendous hit and regardless of how the franchise tried to clean up the mess, he doesn’t have the same value that he once had, especially for someone with four years and nearly $147 million remaining on his contract.
There might be an NBA team that bites and offers a deal that Daryl Morey and Elton Brand can’t resist including an All-Star level player. Then again, the Sixers brass might have to sift through a stack of offers that include solid NBA players and draft capital.
Brogdon and the Pacers No. 13 pick is a solid package, if that is indeed what is on the table. Is that better than an offer of Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley and the No. 9 pick? How about Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley and the No. 9?
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Would Philly assistant and former Kings head coach Dave Joerger offer an opinion on some of the players he worked with just two years ago?
This will come down to the evaluation of talent and whether the Kings can create a package that makes sense for both sides. Without adding De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton in a deal, which the Kings should be very reluctant to do, it’s hard to see the two sides coming to an agreement.
In the end, it’s unlikely Ben Simmons makes his way to Sacramento via trade. There are too many obstacles to overcome, questions about fit and plenty of risk when his contract is considered.
That doesn’t mean that the Kings shouldn’t at least make an offer and see if there is some common ground, but expectations should be low.