NBA Rumors: Best Ben Simmons trades for Wolves, Cavs and Raptors
By John Buhler
Here is how All-Star point guard Ben Simmons could get trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Toronto Raptors this offseason.
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons has a robust trade market, one that includes reported interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors.
For Philadelphia, the 76ers front office is at a point where it can no longer deny that Simmons’ game is not complementary with All-NBA center Joel Embiid. They may pivot off Simmons because of this. As for Minnesota, Cleveland and Toronto, none of these teams made the NBA Playoffs this past season and could use a ball-handler who plays great defense like Simmons.
Here is what Minnesota, Cleveland and Toronto can offer Philadelphia in a deal for Simmons.
Ben Simmons Rumors: Best trade offers for Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Raptors
Minnesota Timberwolves: Best Ben Simmons trade offer
Despite being one of the worst teams in the Western Conference pretty much annually, the Timberwolves do have two excellent pieces to build a team around in center Karl-Anthony Towns and last year’s No. 1 pick in shooting guard Anthony Edwards. However, they will need an upgrade at the point guard position to have any hope of pushing for playoff positioning in the near future.
While the Timberwolves do not have a pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, they do have two expendable pieces to orchestrate a trade with Philadelphia for Ben Simmons: Point guard D’Angelo Russell and shooting guard Malik Beasley. Russell would provide the ball-handling and scoring to offset losing Simmons. Beasley has averaged nearly 20 points per game since joining the Timberwolves.
Admittedly, not having the No. 7 overall pick this year because of the Russell trade with the Golden State Warriors hurts the Timberwolves’ chances of dealing for Simmons. However, Philadelphia would get two backcourt players who can put up points and space the floor for a team that will be built around Embiid going forward. Philadelphia may need a future pick as well.
Minnesota would be getting a big three, while Philadelphia will become more balance offensively.