Denver Nuggets Receive: G/F Ben Simmons, G Shake Milton
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Michael Porter Jr., F Aaron Gordon, G Monte Morris, DEN 2026 1st Round Pick (Unprotected), DEN 2027 1st Round Pick (Swap, More Favorable to PHI)
For starters, the Denver Nuggets are already right at the tax line for the 2021-22 season, so to trade for Ben Simmons, they would basically need to send out matching salaries to what they would be receiving with Simmons’ $33M contract for the 2021-22 season.
Not to mention, they would have to appease the 76ers by giving them enough talent to trade Ben Simmons, to begin with. It seems unrealistic to think Denver would part ways with guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, but let’s look at each of the assets involved in this deal.
Porter Jr. put together a fantastic season last year, averaging 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and he shot 44.5% from three-point range, making him the key player the 76ers would want back in a trade for Ben Simmons.
At just 23-years-old, Michael Porter Jr. will only get better as a two-way threat in this league, which is why Denver most likely would not want to trade him. Jamal Murray being out is another major reason for the Nuggets to hold onto Porter Jr. Bringing in Ben Simmons to pair with Nikola Jokic is also a questionable move for Denver since “The Joker” is an all-around facilitator already.
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The Nuggets may be willing to move Aaron Gordon, who they acquired last season at the trade deadline, and Monte Morris since they just drafted “Bones” Hyland, but again, these are two key guys the Nuggets have in their rotation.
Plus, there are some rumors that the Nuggets will be extending the contracts of both Porter Jr. and Gordon near the start of the 2021-22 season.
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In terms of getting key assets in return for Ben Simmons, this is definitely a trade the 76ers should be interested in, especially since Michael Porter Jr. could be a key talent to pair with Joel Embiid for the foreseeable future. Is this a realistic trade, though, that could make sense for both the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers?
