Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?
There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.
Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.
That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.
It may be the best offer out there.
then they don't trade him
This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.
Yep. Definitely should be interesting. He has a lot of years left and the Sixers are still going to be a playoff team without him, so they really have no incentive to move him for a deal they don't like, especially if they aren't paying him.
I guess I disagree on this. It's possible the team can call his bluff, but not likely. The Sixers only have so many more healthy years of Embiid. There is real pressure to put a team out there that can compete for a championship. This team without Ben Simmons (and arguably with Ben Simmons) cannot.
The reality in the modern NBA is that teams have less leverage than ever. Four years left on his deal or not, we've seen similar situations and the team always feels the pressure to eventually cave.
Sure but if they trade Simmons for a bunch of role players they aren't winning the title either. Their only shot is to hold out for a trade that actually moves the needle for them. It may never come, but selling Simmons off for a bunch of mid level role players and non-prime future draft picks, doesn't get them anywhere near a title contender either and there will always be a role player/draft pick trade available to them even if Simmons sits the whole year.
I think they go into the season and see what happens. Maybe Portland implodes and Lillard asks out. Maybe Phoenix starts out in the tank and decides to put Paul and some future picks on the table (I imagine a Booker, Ayton, Simmons core would look good to the Suns). Or Beal asks out. Or Golden State decides to really go all in and caves to the Sixers demands (wiggins, wiseman, kuminga, future picks). Or heaven forbid the C's start off awful with Tatum and Brown not looking great together and Brad puts Brown on the table. Or Toronto puts Siakam, Van Vleet, and Anunoby on the table. Or any number of other scenarios that don't exist now, but might as the season progresses and teams access where they are at.
The Sixers have no incentive to sell low. They can wait until the market gives them a better value on the trade because selling low doesn't get them near title contention. They need a legit 2nd piece or they can't contend anyway.