The saga surrounding Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers continues to rage on as the team continues to move forward with their season without him. Things took another turn on Thursday as Simmons and his camp blamed the Sixers for worsening his mental health as things continue to become toxic.
Both sides have to take some responsibility for what is going on here, but it might be time for president Daryl Morey to just accept the first trade offer the team receives in order to move on from Simmons. This situation has really gone on for too long and it might be time for the Sixers to move down from their high asking price for him and move on.
In a new trade suggestion from Bleacher Report, they have the Sixers moving Simmons to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 3-team deal that includes the Boston Celtics.
The deal is:
- Sixers receive: Jaylen Brown and Patrick Beverley
- Celtics receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
- Timberwolves receive: Ben Simmons, Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer, and 2022 first-round pick (from PHI)
B/R on why the Sixers do this deal:
Philadelphia would follow a similar path by improving the fit of Joel Embiid’s co-star. Brown, whose name has surfaced in the Simmons trade chatter, can do a little (or a lot) of everything, which would make it easy to coexist with the Sixers’ star center. Brown plays both ends, finds shots for himself and his teammates, impresses with three-point volume and efficiency and keeps earning more trips to the foul line.
Also helpful, this trade package wouldn’t torpedo Philly’s defense the way an all-in move for Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal might. Brown can check any wing he encounters, and Patrick Beverley is a pest on the ball.
A good point on adding Brown in this deal, but there does not appear to be any traction between the Sixers and the Celtics on any deal involving Brown. In fact, including the young All-Star has been described as a non-starter for the Celtics at the moment.
Nonetheless, the Sixers have got to figure out this Simmons situation. This has turned into an ugly saga of a “he said-she said” issue and the Sixers have got to decide what to do with him. Whether they really want him to play or they want him to be moved and away from the team, they have to decide quickly.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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