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

1. Let’s get real crazy

From the jump, it was noted that the 76ers trading either Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid is unlikely to happen at the NBA trade deadline and perhaps even at all. But of all the deals we’re talking about here, this is by far the least likely to happen of the bunch. Put simply, you don’t see two Eastern Conference rivals willing to trade stars all that often.

While that may be true and while this may be a pipedream, if we’re getting crazy, this swap between the Sixers and Boston Celtics is unbelievably intriguing given what it would mean for both teams moving forward.

Though Enes Kanter has played well for the Celtics, Boston is in need of a strong physical presence on the interior while they also have a logjam on the wings. Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown are all vying for minutes and, though all quite talented, they don’t always seem to fit together, especially with Marcus Smart being thrown into the mix as well. Trading away two of those assets for a superstar center would alleviate both issues. Moreover, adding Richardson to the deal keeps them from depleting their wing rotation.

As for the 76ers, this is the most ideal scenario they could hope for. They get a proven outside scorer in Hayward and a budding star in Tatum that both seemingly fit incredibly well with Simmons and his ability to penetrate and make plays as a passer. Furthermore, it makes Philadelphia a nightmare defensively on the perimeter with the length and versatility they would have.

Again, there’s virtually no chance of this ever happening — but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be beneficial to both teams if it did.