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Ben Simmons ‘drama in Philadelphia has spilled over into training camp, with the most recent development involving the team withholding $ 8.25 million from Simmons’ salary on Friday. A deal would obviously be the best for all parties involved, but the Sixers understandably want a return that comes somewhat close to fair value. In today’s report by Keith Pompey of The Inquirer, we were provided with a current list of suitors for Ben’s services:
A league source said the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs are still inquiring about Simmons’ availability. “
The team on this list that hasn’t been discussed often when it comes to a Simmons trade is the Detroit Pistons, so let’s take a look at the possibilities of such a deal. Obviously rookie first overall pick Cade Cunningham would be banned completely, and I think 22-year-old Saddiq Bey would be as well, fresh out of a First Team All-Rookie selection.
The cornerstone of the comeback is likely to revolve around former Sixer Jerami Grant, who signed a three-year, $ 60 million contract with the Pistons last offseason, averaging 22.3 points per game in from his first season in Detroit. At 27 and just two years away from his contract, Grant would not be as likely to straddle the young core Detroit as Ben Simmons, 25, under contract during the 2024-25 season. The Sixers should determine if a Grant-Tobias Harris combination at the attacking level would be the best way to go, given that the two players are probably in the best position to play all four.
Among other things to complete the deal, 2020 seventh overall pick Killian Hayes likely doesn’t make sense to either side. The Pistons would hate to give up a 20-year-old with potential, while the Sixers wouldn’t see him as a ready-to-help guy now during Joel Embiid’s prime. Someone who would make a lot of sense would be veteran Cory Joseph, who quit with Detroit this offseason on a two-year contract, with a player option next year. The Sixers have been linked with Joseph in the past, who would represent a great playmaker option and a contingency plan if Shake Milton’s move to the post doesn’t go smoothly.
Another possibility could be Kelly Olynyk, who signed a three-year, $ 37 million free agency contract. As a career 36.7% three-point shooter, Olynyk would be the answer to the Sixers’ long-awaited big dilemma. After seeing the limitations with Dwight Howard as Sub 5 in the previous playoffs, another option in place of the paint-chained Andre Drummond would be welcome. One restriction surrounding both Olynyk and Joseph is that no player can be included in a deal until mid-December.
While this is a far cry from a Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal titled package, a deal with the Pistons bringing back Grant, Olynyk or Joseph, and a compensation plan could represent an interim deal to help the Sixers in the present, while leaving the War Chest of Assets stocked. if another opportunity presented itself later. The main questions would be whether Daryl Morey would want to throw in the towel in his hunt for superstars and whether Simmons’ value has plummeted so much that the Pistons would even find a deal like this untenable.
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