The Philadelphia 76ers have seemingly made some progress when it comes to the Ben Simmons situation. The two sides are again on speaking terms, as the NBA All-Star is making his way back to the organization.
It is a step in the right direction and you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, there is still some more work to do.
Philadelphia will undoubtedly try to mend things to the point that Simmons returns to the court to play for the organization. While that seems unlikely, it is what the Philadelphia 76ers have been holding out hope of occurring.
But, it sounds like Simmons will still be on the table in trade talks even with him coming back to the team. If that is the case, the Indiana Pacers have to make acquiring Simmons a top priority as we head toward the regular season.
The Pacers were the first team to reportedly send an offer to the 76ers for Simmons back in July. They offered Malcolm Brogdon and the No. 13 overall pick for him, but the deal was turned down. However, most recently, it sounds as if the teams were engaged in some trade talks once again.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This Pacers-Sixers Trade Is Centered Around Ben Simmons
The Philadelphia 76ers were showing some interest in Brogdon in a deal centered around Simmons. Caris LeVert was also mentioned as a possible piece of a trade package heading to Philadelphia.
Trading away both players might be a bit of a steep price for Indiana, especially if other teams are offering less appealing packages. But, for the Pacers, pushing for a Simmons trade is something they have to do.
A player with Simmons’ resume and upside rarely becomes available in a trade. He has shortcomings offensively, but he is elite in other areas of the game and can help a team win some basketball games.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This Pacers-Sixers Trade Is Centered Around Ben Simmons
Simmons is an excellent rebounder and with his ball-handling skills can be an instant fastbreak after every defensive stop. He is also an elite defender with his ability to defend every position on the court at any time. Combined with Myles Turner at the center spot, the Indiana Pacers would have a stifling defense at every level of the court.
The price to acquire Simmons will also never be lower. His value was low because of his performance during the postseason and it was likely tanked even more with how things played out this summer.
While Brogdon and LeVert are both solid players, they do not have the ceiling that Simmons does. He has legitimate star potential if he were to ever figure things out offensively.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This Pacers-Sixers Trade Is Centered Around Ben Simmons
That kind of star power is something that Indiana is lacking. They have always been able to put together solid teams, but having that superstar potential is something that would help take the entire organization to the next level. Given his style of play, the Pacers would be a lot more attractive of a landing spot for free agents with Simmons on board.
In Indiana, he would be the No. 1 option, which is what he wants. It would take another offseason to completely reshape the roster around Simmons’ skill set, but the team has to acquire him first as the centerpiece. He is there for the taking, now the Indiana Pacers just have to step up to the plate and get it done.
