Ben Simmons
Arguably the most persistent rumor this season has connected the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers. It is becoming more and more evident every day that Simmons will be traded and the Trail Blazers are one of the betting favorites to land him.
While Damian Lillard is who the 76ers would want, building a package around CJ McCollum would be the best-case scenario for Portland. Simmons would provide them a lot of what they are looking for.
The former LSU product is already a two-time All-Defensive Team member and three-time All-Star at only 25-years old. Defensively is where Simmons would make the greatest impact on the team.
He would provide them with a Swiss-Army knife on that end of the floor in a similar way Draymond Green does for the Golden State Warriors. Except, Simmons is even bigger and more athletic than Green ever was, giving him the ability to defend anyone from point guards to centers at any point in the game.
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He has his shortcomings offensively, but Portland is well equipped to overcome those deficiencies. Damian Lillard is a perfect backcourt pairing for Simmons with his long-range shooting ability. Norman Powell and Robert Covington also aren’t afraid to let it fly from deep, providing enough spacing in the lineup.
Landing Simmons in a deal center around McCollum would be a huge win for the Trail Blazers.
