Ben Simmons’ fake deals keep getting worse

Since Ben Simmons saga started early in the season, we saw loads of fake deals. Even if this situation persists for months, new commercial ideas continue to emerge. People in Bleacher report suggests a transaction for the disgruntled All-Star in their latest NBA column.

In this proposal, Simmons was sent to a team that was rebuilding the Western Conference. The 76ers get Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr., DJ Augustin and a pair of first-round picks in exchange for three-time All-Star, Isaiah Joe and Charles Bassey.

Simply put, the Sixers can do much better than this commercial offer. There’s nothing about this pack appealing from the Sixers’ point of view, nor does it get them any closer to achieving their goals. Also, some might argue that Houston buying Simmons doesn’t make much sense either.

The Sixers have clarified their stance on dealing with Simmons. They only intend to move the 25-year-old away in a deal that puts them in a better position to compete for the title. That being said, Houston’s offer does not provide parts to help them do so.

While this trade may give them more depth, it doesn’t raise their ceiling much. Gordon has faced injury for several seasons now, and it has negatively affected his play. So far this season, he is averaging 12.9 points per game at the lowest level of his career. There’s a real chance getting him would do more harm than good.

There is also another side of this theoretical agreement to consider. With Houston embracing a youth movement and starting to completely rebuild, the deal for Simmons doesn’t quite fit what they’re trying to do. Adding Simmons to their roster increases their ceiling, making it harder to hit the top draft prospects.

Simmons could also hinder the growth of some of Houston’s promising young talents, most notably Jalen Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft. As we all know, Simmons is an offensive conductor who likes to have the ball in his hand. His suitability for a powerful offensive guard like Green can be confusing at times.

At best, this is a last resort for the Sixers, and even then, they can get better returns for the former number one pick overall. Players like House and Augustin could certainly join in and take on some sort of role in the Sixers, but their additions don’t take the team to another level.

If Morey want to sell low about Simmons, he’ll do it now. Even if the Sixers start off the season with a good record, getting parts with depth isn’t the best decision. Whatever they get in return for Simmons will significantly affect their ability to become championship contenders in the years to come. Morey has an opportunity to get this right, and he intends to wait for the right moment to take his action.