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Philadelphia 76ers: 5 teams that could trade for Ben Simmons

By Josh Cornelissen

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida, NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers' roster overhaul. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida, NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers' roster overhaul. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers Photo by Elsa/Getty Images /

Teams that could trade for Ben Simmons: San Antonio Spurs

Before we discuss any San Antonio Spurs trade, we must acknowledge that the Spurs rarely make big trades. The Kawhi Leonard trades, coming and going, were basically it as this team transitioned out of its dynastic years and into this pleasant twilight of Gregg Popovich’s career.

Yet with a roster flush with intriguing low-end starters on good contracts, they need a splash to mix things up. Their combination of young players gives them plenty of sweeteners to pair with a DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade.

Proposed trade: DeMar DeRozan, Derrick White, 2021 second-round pick to 76ers; Ben Simmons to Spurs

The 76ers’ best team was probably the 2019 group that lost in seven games to the Toronto Raptors on Kawhi Leonard’s bounce-bounce-bounce-bounce buzzer-beater, and the reason that team was so good was that they had Jimmy Butler breaking down defenses from the perimeter. DeMar DeRozan is a less dynamic version of what Butler brought, but he can be had for a significantly smaller price.

If the Spurs could sign-and-trade DeRozan to the 76ers on something like a 2-year, $48 million contract, they could send him and a young guard to Philly in exchange for Ben Simmons. Simmons would bring their defense from tough to elite, with Dejounte Murray and Jakob Poetl as the tent poles and Simmons wreaking havoc in between. His playmaking skills can also prop up Murray’s middling strength in that area. Even with White heading to the 76ers, the Spurs can plug in Lonnie Walker or Devin Vassell at the 2.

Philadelphia would have a tough shot creator on the perimeter who can fill in at the 4 in DeRozan, and with Embiid and Tobias Harris could lessen his load during the regular season and give him some more leeway when defenses tighten in the playoffs. White could start alongside Danny Green in the backcourt with Seth Curry sliding to a 6th-man role. Finally, an extra second-round pick could see the 76ers take a flier on a stretch-5 prospect.