Ben Simmons’ name has become a staple in NBA trade rumors, but it’s not usually attached to the Utah Jazz. Here, we’ll endeavor to change that.
Not by sending Simmons to Salt Lake City. While we recently bandied about that idea, it doesn’t become realistic unless Donovan Mitchell demands a trade. Until that moment, the Utah Jazz should do everything in their power to keep Spida happy. A Simmons/Gobert pairing could be historically dominant on defense, but obvious fit issues would immediately arise between the two non-shooters on the other end.
Instead, we’ve got the Jazz inviting themselves to the party as a third team.
Utah Jazz facilitate much-anticipated Ben Simmons deal
The concept of a Simmons-for-Collins trade isn’t novel. Frankly, it’s all over the internet. Reports generally seem to indicate that Collins doesn’t entice 76ers General Manager Daryl Morey to deal his former #1 overall pick.
From one perspective, that’s fair. Morey seems to be holding out for a bigger fish. If one of Damian Lillard, Jaylen Brown or Bradley Beal were to finally request a trade, their teams may be attracted to the idea of an instant rebuild around Simmons.
On the other hand, they may not.
The Houston Rockets already rebuffed Morey’s advances. They chose a package from the Brooklyn Nets centered around draft capital in exchange for their beleaguered star James Harden. Who’s to say the Blazers or Wizards won’t choose the same route? The Celtics would probably prefer to take Simmons, as they already roster another young star in Jayson Tatum. They wouldn’t be starting from scratch. At the same time, Brown feels substantially further removed from a trade demand than either of Lillard or Beal.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for the 76ers, whether they choose to hear it or not. As a big man with a troubling injury history, nobody could say how long Joel Embiid’s prime may last. Morey may think he’s standing his ground while he’s actually digging his own grave.
This trade may not land the Sixers a marquee superstar, but it does provide them with an immediate and significant roster upgrade. Collins is a versatile big man who can play either the 4 or the 5. He’s also able to roll or pop off of picks as a stretch 4. By involving the Utah Jazz, the Sixers add another ball-handler in Clarkson alongside Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton in what would be an interior focused offensive attack.
It’s not perfect, but it might be the best the Sixers can do in their current situation. Does it benefit the Utah Jazz?