Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers. (Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Daryl Morey has plenty of pathways towards striking a deal with the Indiana Pacers to get Ben Simmons off the books for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey needs to recognize the Indiana Pacers as a potential trade partner to dump Ben Simmons’ massive salary immediately.
While trading a perennial All-Star in-conference is always a tricky proposition, Simmons has not played a game for the 76ers this year. Given that he is on the books for the next four years, Morey has to do something. The 76ers are in a tough battle in a deep Eastern Conference and can’t sit idle with a viable trade asset just chilling on their bench. Fortunately, the Pacers are rebuilding.
Here are three players Morey should inquire about when it comes to moving Simmons to Indiana.
Who could Philadelphia 76ers get for Ben Simmons in trade with Indiana Pacers?
No, Philadelphia will not get a huge return for Simmons, as his trade market is not as robust as it once was. However, trading Simmons to the Pacers for either Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner straight up could be enticing options. All three would be able to come in and make an impact on this 76ers team. All three are reportedly being put on the trading block this season.
Sabonis is the best player of the trio, so maybe he’s the one Morey asks for? Turner has been a borderline All-Star for years. While the fit may be clunky next to Joel Embiid, when has fit ever mattered for the 76ers? As for LeVert, he is probably the best fit of the three, but is not the level of player Sabonis or Turner. Either way, all are upgrades over an inactive Simmons forever riding pine.
Morey can get a high-end starter to help his organization by dealing Simmons over to the Pacers.