3 potential trades for teams with NBA lottery picks

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 10, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 05: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

The 76ers have to be looking at shaking things up after another disappointing finish in the playoffs. While Joel Embiid was dominant, looking like one of the best players in the league in both rounds, they were unable to defeat the Toronto Raptors in the second round, losing in seven games.

Part of the problem for Philadelphia is how former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons played with Embiid. Simmons thrives in transition, but when the playoffs slowed down, those opportunities weren’t as prevalent as they were during the regular season, and Simmons struggled. Even when he would attempt to cut through the paint or lurk near the rim, that kept an additional defender near the rim to make things more difficult for Embiid, Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris.

The 76ers likely won’t bring back both Harris and Butler, not with the amount of money they have committed to Embiid and the amount of money it would take to retain the two free agents. A trade that makes sense is to move Simmons to Los Angeles to play with LeBron James. That helps solidify the 76ers as Embiid’s team, and gives them a clear choice to build around going forward.

Next. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic's chemistry took another step in the playoffs. dark

For the Lakers, they get to swap first round picks with the 76ers, giving them a chance to add a role player alongside James, Simmons, Kuzma and Ball, while setting them up for the future once James eventually retires. Simmons game is similar to James in that both players thrive in up-tempo systems, pushing the ball down the court and finding open shooters. With Kuzma and Ball set as pillars of the team, that seems like the best recipe for success in the future.

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