The Sacramento Kings are imploding as we speak. It’s time for the Sixers to revisit them as a trade destination for Ben Simmons.
The Kings organization started the season off with the goal of making it into the playoffs, or at least the play-in tournament. With Sacramento starting off the season 8-14, they fired their head coach Luke Walton hoping for a change, which hasn’t happened.
The Kings need to make a major change to their roster and with the Sixers’ All-star point guard Ben Simmons wanting out, it seems like a deal could be made to help both franchises out. Take a look at three trades using Fanspo.com’s NBA Trade Machine that could land Simmons in Sac-Town:
Sixers Add Shooting and Young Guard for Simmons
In this scenario, Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, and Charles Bassey are traded to the Sacramento Kings for SG Buddy Hield, Tristan Thompson, and PG Tyrese Haliburton. Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that Tyrese Haliburton, De’Aaron Fox, and Davion Mitchell were untouchable, but after their tough start, anything should be on the table.
Buddy Hield would bring much-needed shooting to place around Joel Embiid, while Haliburton is a young guard who could grow with Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. Haliburton is a more polished distributor, so his fit with Maxey in the backcourt could work well. Haliburton could also be used as a trade chip with draft picks down the line if another disgruntled star request out. The addition of Thompson may seem odd but it helps bridge the salary gap and the Sixers would acquire Thompson as he would be a defensive upgrade over Andre Drummond in the playoffs.
Ben Simmons’ fit with De’Aaron Fox may be questionable, but it has been proven that Simmons needs another ball-handler on the court with him down the stretch of games. Simmons would boost their defense from the start, and their fast-break offense could be the best in the league. Surround Fox and Simmons with shooters, and the Kings could become a much better team. Shake Milton and Charles Bassey may not add the most value but they’re a couple of interesting young players for Sacramento.
Sixers Add Reliable Scorer and Rookie for Simmons
In this scenario, Ben Simmons and Shake Milton are traded to the Sacramento Kings for SF Harrison Barnes, PF Tristan Thompson, and PG Davion Mitchell.
Harrison Barnes has been on fire to start the season. He is averaging a near career-high in points (19.0) and a career-high in rebounds (7.2). His fit next to Tobias Harris could have some problems, but he seems more willing to shoot threes and more accurate than Harris. His reliability could help the Sixers on nights when Embiid and Harris don’t have their scoring rhythm.
The Sixers also would receive rookie guard Davion Mitchell, who could take on the backup point guard role. Mitchell has made an impression on defense so far and can get it going on offense when he is in the zone. He could also be a trade piece for future trades if a star becomes available. Philadelphia could also once again invest in Thompson in hopes of him being a better postseason defender than Andre Drummond.
Dream Scenario
In this scenario, the Sixers, Kings, and Celtics complete a three-team trade sending Ben Simmons to Sacramento, De’Aaron Fox and a First-Round pick (PHI) to Boston, and Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.
This would be a dream scenario for the 76ers, and each team involved would get a much-needed star to fill a role of need. The Sixers would receive an all-star wing that would be able to create his own shot and take some of the offensive load off Joel Embiid. Brown is also a good defensive player and could take on some of the tougher assignments in the NBA.
The Kings would receive Simmons, who could fill the role of their playmaker and defensive star. He could single-handedly raise the Kings defensive ceiling, and you could also play him with the Kings’ young guards.
The Celtics would receive De’Aaron Fox, who needs a change of scenery the most out of the players on the Kings’ roster. Fox would fill the role of a true point guard for Boston, which would allow Jayson Tatum to focus on scoring the ball. There is a difference in talent between Fox and Brown but the First-Round pick and positional need should help.
Ultimately, the Kings need to make a change, and the Sixers seem to be open to dealing Simmons for the right package. We shall see if the Sixers and Kings can come to a deal in the near future.
