According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Ben Simmons talks are heating up, and the Miami Heat are interested. What could they offer the Sixers?
As we get closer to the NBA Draft this Thursday, the rumors continue to swirl regarding Ben Simmons and a potential trade from Philadelphia. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported, “it’s looking increasingly likely that Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons will be on the move. Once source close to the situation handicapped Miami, Toronto, and Washington as the most likely landing spots.”. It is very interesting to hear that the Miami Heat are potentially interested in bringing Simmons into the fold.
Miami Heat Team President Pat Riley seems to always have something up his sleeve to try to keep the Heat in contention for a championship. If Riley is truly interested in trading for Simmons, the potential trade pieces could be intriguing.
The first thing that comes to mind is the relationship between Ben Simmons and former 76er Jimmy Butler. It was rumored that Simmons and Butler did not get along in Butler’s short stint in Philadelphia. There was a belief that Jimmy Butler did not think Simmons wanted to be great but was more infatuated with the NBA lifestyle. Ben Simmons being traded to Miami with Jimmy Butler on the roster could lead to internal drama.
With that being said, if the Heat would rather move on from Butler and build around young pieces such as Simmons, Herro, and Adebayo, Joel Embiid would surely welcome Butler back with open arms. Salary-wise, a one-for-one trade for Simmons and Butler would work. Although the Sixers’ front office may not be as enthusiastic about a Butler return as Embiid would be due to the nature of how Butler’s free agency played out in the past.
If Ben Simmons were traded to the Heat and Butler was not included in the package, A mix of veterans and young players could be packaged together. Such a potential deal could look like this:
A deal like this would have to involve either Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro. In this case, Robinson would be included and must complete a sign and trade for this to work. The Heat seem to be dead set on not including Herro in any trade talks. The Sixers could pick up a young guard in Kendrick Nunn and a vet in Goran Dragic. The Heat would also have to provide some draft compensation as well.
If this is what a Miami Heat offer would look like for Ben Simmons, the Sixers should look elsewhere. Simmons’ value is at an all-time low, but they still should not sell themselves short.
