NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 crazy trades to remake the 76ers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 12: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walk to the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 12, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 98-97. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on November 27, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Embiid becomes royalty

76ers also receive F Nemanja Bjelica, Protected 2021 first-round pick

We’ve now reached the portion of the proceedings that deal with trades that could happen — in theory — at the NBA trade deadline. In more plain terms, these are moves that the 76ers could make that would see them keep Ben Simmons but ship out Joel Embiid. While that may not be a popular choice, it could work given the right pieces coming back in return.

That’s something that this trade with the Sacramento Kings would give Philadelphia should they choose to build around Simmons. As mentioned, the issue with the Simmons-Embiid pairing is that the team’s two most pivotal pieces are basically operating in the same area of the floor. Shipping out the elite big man for this type of package, however, would change the face of the offense.

Adding Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic to the fold would surround Simmons with elite shooters on the outside that can both create their own shots and spot up to allow the Sixers’ point guard to drive and kick to the outside. Furthermore, getting a heavily protected first-round pick helps offset the loss of Embiid, as does adding frontcourt rotation pieces in Marvin Bagley III and Nemanja Bjelica.

While the Kings are clearly high on Hield given the extension he signed, pairing an elite center with De’Aaron Fox is an enticing change of direction they would have to at least think about. That’s a duo that could be deadly in the pick-and-roll and, though they would still have work to do with building a full roster, there are a lot worse starting points than Fox and Embiid.