In A League Where Big Deals Are Common, This One Would Be Huge

The biggest story of the current NBA off-season has been, when will the Philadelphia 76ers move on from the uniquely talented, yet flawed Ben Simmons?

At 6’10” and with extraordinary athletic ability, Simmons is a natural point guard who is also the most versatile defensive player in the league.

The negative vibes with Simmons are more mental than physical. Simmons’ hesitancy to develop a perimeter game has hurt his growth as a player and has hindered his team’s success.

In addition, Simmons is so gun shy that he sometimes handles the ball like a hot potato to avoid the free-throw line. Simmons shot 34% from the free-throw line in 12 playoffs games last season. 34% isn’t even a good number from beyond the 3-point line, a place that Simmons avoids like a buffet during a pandemic.

In 275 career regular-season games, Simmons has attempted only 34 three-point shots, making 5 (14.7%) of them.

Beyond his skittish play in the playoffs, Simmons has lost the trust of the 76ers best player, center Joel Embiid, and head coach Doc Rivers. Embiid and Rivers criticized, blamed and threw Simmons under the bus following Philadelphia’s game seven loss to Atlanta in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. A game in which Simmons “produced” 5 points on 2-4 shooting from the field and 1-2 from the line.

During most of the offseason, Simmons has ghosted the 76ers front office and coaching staff. Recently, he let it be known that he will not attend training camp, which begins on September 28th. Throughout this process, the Warriors and TrailBlazers have emerged as likely destinations for the three-time all-star.

Golden State has the requisite package of veterans and young players to make it happen. Portland could swap its most popular player ever, Damian Lillard. A move that would not sit well with Blazer fans.

I’m here to propose a mega-deal that would impact two of the three best teams in the Eastern Conference.

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Why not send Simmons to Brooklyn for guard Kyrie Irving?

Two enigmatic players who are always flight risks.

Simmons would give the Nets what they don’t have. Defense! Playing alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden, Simmons could operate from the low post where his passing skills would enhance the Nets already-dominant offense.

Head 90 miles south and think of the unlimited possibilities of a point guard-center combination of Kyrie Irving and Joel Embiid.

A Simmons-Irving deal would be the biggest, one for one, trade in league history. Generally, when superstars are traded, it is of the 4 for 1 variety. 76ers President Daryl Morey is always ready, willing and able to pull the trigger on a huge deal.

The Nets would be less likely to engage since Irving and Durant feel like a package.

This proposed trade would jar the entire league. Both teams could certainly improve. On the flip side, it could cause chaos with both the Sixers and Nets.

As a great man once said, “You can’t fall off of the bed if you sleep on the floor”.

The NBA never ceases to shock us. This deal would at least surprise us.

John Sapochetti is co-host of the “The Pick & Roll NBA Podcast With Jet & Sap”, which is heard on Full Press Coverage.

Follow him on Twitter @JohnSap25