How This Trade Impacts Philadelphia 76ers
To provide commentary on this deal, the CJ McCollum/Tobias Harris swap has to be included as well. Without that trade between the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, the Ben Simmons deal to the Atlanta Hawks doesn’t happen.
Swapping Harris for McCollum is the only reason that the 76ers would even consider this trade package from the Hawks for Simmons as it leaves them without an option to take over as the lead ball-handler offensively. But, with McCollum on the roster, Philadelphia is a lot more comfortable with Atlanta’s package.
The 76ers are getting a player with immense upside in Cam Reddish. If his four-game sample in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks is a sign of things to come, Philadelphia is going to be ecstatic.
Reddish has shutdown potential defensively with his size and length and offers an intriguing blend of athleticism and 3-point shooting offensively. He just has to find consistency and have some better luck with injuries, as he has played in only 84 games in two seasons.
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Kevin Huerter adds another shooter to the mix for Philadelphia, something they can never have too much of. Standing 6’7”, he gives them more size for the backcourt or wing and brings some ball-handling and playmaking chops along with him. On the second unit, the team could have him initiate some sets offensively.
Danilo Gallinari would likely slide into the starting power forward role vacated by Harris. He is an excellent fit alongside Joel Embiid as he is still one of the best floor-spacing big men in the NBA. Gallinari’s defense isn’t great, but Philadelphia has enough defenders to compensate for it.
Doc Rivers would love the new depth that he is working with. The Philadelphia 76ers would have a legitimate 11-man rotation to run out there with the four new players joining Seth Curry, Danny Green, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Andre Drummond and Shake Milton on the roster.
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That is a roster set up not only to continuing contending now but also possessing the pieces to swing a blockbuster trade should another All-Star player become available on the trade market.
