The Toronto Raptors have been listed as one of the top three contenders for Ben Simmons. What could they offer the Sixers in a trade?
Ben Simmons is clearly on the trade block, and three teams are currently at the center of a possible trade. The Athletic’s Sam Adrick reports the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, and Toronto Raptors are the “most likely landing spots.”
Earlier this week, The Action Network’s Matt Moore reported, the Raptors rejected an offer centered around Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Freddie VanVleet, and the 4th overall pick for Ben Simmons.
Now that would be a haul of talent, and the money would not work in this scenario. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski added Wednesday that the Sixers are looking for a blockbuster return for Simmons.
Below is a more realistic version the Raptors may be willing to do:
It is still a large asking price for Simmons, but again Simmons’ resume is very impressive for a 25-year-old All-Star. Simmons is locked in for four more years without an option. 25-year-old All-Stars don’t become available very often.
Leaving Fred VanVleet out of this deal allows the Raptors to pair Simmons next to a guard that can take ball-handling pressure off of him and spread the floor.
George Hill is mainly in this deal because of his expiring contract, and the money works. The Raptors could flip him for draft compensation before next year’s trade deadline as well. Toronto adding the 28th pick softens the blow of losing 2 first-rounders in this deal.
The Sixers finally add the point guard it has been looking for. Lowry returning home shortens the window for Philadelphia. The 35-year-old is still very productive, but he’s not the same player he was just 3 seasons ago when Toronto won the NBA Finals.
Adding the fourth pick will allow the Sixers to take a potential franchise point guard in Jalen Suggs. The team may be interested in adding Florida State’s Scottie Barnes. A defensive-minded wing with the upside to be one of the top players in the 2021 NBA Draft.
It makes more sense for the Sixers to take Suggs with OG Anunoby in this theoretical deal. Anunoby can fill the defensive stopper on the wing Simmons leaves behind. He is not the same defender as Ben Simmons, but he can still challenge the league’s best wing players.
The additional first in 2023 may lead the Raptors to decline this trade, but it’s at least a step closer to an agreement from the previous deal reported. New reports even suggest the Sixers could trade Ben Simmons on draft night.
We will have to see if the Raptors or any team are willing to meet the Sixers’ asking price. We all know the NBA offseason is never short of entertaining, and draft night is no exception.
