76ers: Is Ben Simmons’ trade value really as low as it seems?

Ben Simmons’ tragic flaws effectively torpedoed the 76ers’ playoff run. That doesn’t mean quite a few NBA teams won’t be interested in acquiring him. 

The 76ers face a number of big decisions this offseason, but deciding what to do with Ben Simmons tops the list for Daryl Morey and his front office. In a perfect world, Philadelphia would like to trade him for a superstar whose game fits better with Joel Embiid. His putrid performance during the Playoffs may make that an impossible challenge for the 76ers‘ front office.

That does not mean Simmons still doesn’t hold significant trade value around the league. It’s easy to get caught up in what the 24-year-old Australian doesn’t do at a high or even effective level. The danger in focusing on his negatives is that it also ignores Simmons’ significant strengths.

The reality is that Simmons is still a 6-foot-11 unicorn who can handle the ball like a point guard. He’s also an exceptional defender at multiple positions. Those qualities didn’t overshadow his shooting foibles in the postseason, but smart GMs around the league won’t forget what made Simmons an All-Star during the regular season.

Who will trade for Ben Simmons?

Simmons’ weaknesses as a player are amplified in the postseason. That makes it difficult for any legitimate title contender to part with meaningful capital to acquire him this summer. A team with elite shooting to place around him might be willing to make that sort of gamble, but the reality that Simmons isn’t just a bad shooter, he’s largely a non-shooter makes that a tall task for rival front offices.

Instead, the 76ers should look to engage teams interested in raising their floor to become playoff contenders. That’s where Simmons can provide the most value. Having a big point guard with his passing ability could unlock a team’s offense. Simmons should be a particularly intriguing target for teams looking to supercharge their transition games.

The challenge in those sorts of deals will be Philadelphia’s desire to add an immediate player that can help boost their title aspirations next season. They may be forced to accept a transaction built around a quality role player and solid draft capital. That isn’t the splashy sort of trade Morey really wants to swing this summer, but it’s the type of deal that can help improve his team’s on-court product in next year’s playoffs while also adding flexibility down the road.

Trading Simmons will be difficult for the 76ers, but they need to focus their attention on teams who need him to help get them to respectability next season. That’s how Philadelphia can minimize concerns about his ability to hold up in high-level playoff series.