Cleveland Cavaliers: Pros and cons of trading for Ben Simmons

Conclusion

It’s hard to argue that Ben Simmons’ wouldn’t help the Cleveland Cavaliers compete in the present. However, it’s also hard to see how he would be worth the price to acquire.

Packaging a trade worthy of making the 76ers trade a 23-year-old All-Star who is just entering his five-year contract extension with the franchise will be extremely difficult. Even with multiple first-round picks and a combo of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. – it would be very hard to see the 76ers biting on this deal.

Even if they did – where would this leave the Cavaliers? It would take near-perfect execution from the front office to build a supporting cast capable of helping Simmons content for a title. Furthermore, Simmons himself would have to make huge leaps in his development to become the type of player that can lead a team to the promised land.

The Cavaliers shouldn’t be eager to enter NBA purgatory and live as a borderline playoff team. There is nothing enticing about constantly being eliminated early in the postseason. Instead, the franchise should focus solely on putting together a squad that can truly compete for a championship.

Rather than swinging big for a star – the Cavaliers need to concentrate on finding their next cornerstone in the NBA Draft. They have four first-round picks in the next three drafts – giving them plenty of opportunities to find a game-changing prospect.

Above all else, the Cavaliers need to consider that Simmons may not even want to play in Cleveland. There would be nothing worse than sacrificing the assets they have stockpiled only to be back in the same position in 2025. This is a potential trade the Cavaliers shouldn’t turn into a reality.