The Philadelphia 76ers will change the landscape of the NBA once they find a trade partner for Ben Simmons. Several teams could push even closer to being contenders with a player like Simmons on the roster.
Despite his shortcomings when it comes to his refusal to shoot the ball, there is a lot that Simmons brings to the table that can help a team win games.
On offense, his playmaking is as good as it gets in the NBA. Given his size, he is tough to slow down as he can see right over most of the opponents that line up to defend him.
His rebounding gives a big advantage as well. Not many guys who rebound as effectively as Simmons can instantly start a fast break with his ball-handling ability. He is a terror in the open court with his combination of athleticism and size.
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Defensively, Simmons may be the most versatile player in the league. He can defend anyone at any time on the court, seamlessly alternating between defending guards on the perimeter of big men on the interior. It is similar to what the Golden State Warriors get from Draymond Green, but in a bigger, more athletic body.
Plenty of teams would line up to acquire a 25-year old with the resume that Simmons has. He could help elevate a downtrodden franchise or turn a playoff team into a contender.
One team that trade could work with is the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has its own All-Star that could move in Pascal Siakam. Let’s take a look at what a swap between the teams could look like.