The Philadelphia 76ers have a puncher’s chance to make the NBA finals based on sheer talent, but no one is favouring them to take out the Eastern Conference.
Someone who would almost certainly put them over the top is Anthony Davis. The catch is it would take parting with Ben Simmons to get him.
Simmons is an incredible player, but he can’t shoot, as evidenced by Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics using Simmons’ lack of shooting to take him out of the game in the second round of last year’s playoffs.
The trade for Jimmy Butler put the 76ers on a clock and was the official end the ‘the process’, which leaves less time for Simmons to develop his shooting ability. Flipping him for Davis would make the 76ers instant favourites to be champions of the east.
DeMarcus Cousins was regarded the best big man in the game when he joined forces with Davis in New Orleans and the two became one of the deadliest duos in the league until Cousins went down with a ruptured Achilles.
It seemed Davis was alright with taking a step back in order to achieve team success, which would be the same case if the 76ers were to pair Davis and Joel Embiid.
Replacing Simmons with Davis would give Philly an advantage over every team in the league, as the pair would draw most of a team’s attention, leaving All Star Butler with as much freedom as he has ever had, as well as giving JJ Redick more opportunities to find open looks.
Providing Markelle Fultz returns, it wouldn’t be crazy to add him to the starting line-up. Although Fultz isn’t much better of a shooter than Simmons, he would have a far lesser role in the offence, leaving less room for teams to exploit. This leaves TJ McConnell to continue thriving in his sparkplug role off the bench.
The 76ers could have the following starting line-up:
G – Markelle Fultz
G – JJ Redick
F – Jimmy Butler
F – Anthony Davis
C – Joel Embiid
For the Pelicans, they would get a 21-year-old superstar who can be their second chance to become a playoff team. A Simmons and Jrue Holiday backcourt would be one of the better one-two punches in the league, especially on the defensive end.
Provided New Orleans search for a better second unit, Simmons could put the Pelicans in a better spot than they ever have been with Davis.
If Elton Brand calls Dell Demps and puts Simmons on the board, it would be a far better offer than any team could throw together, including the limitless assets held by Danny Ainge and the Celtics.
A.J. Woodgate
Roar Rookie
The Pelicans were also better once Cousins went down last season. I am skeptical that a Davis and Embiid pairing would work. Embiid can play outside but he shouldnt as much as he does and Davis is the same, relegating one of them to a primarily perimeter player is a waste of their talents.
Mushi
Guest
Also will Davis resign in philly and like wise ben in NO. Could be the rare "each side loses" trade
astro
Roar Rookie
Three problems with this scenario: 1. Relying on Fultz - there's no indication at this stage that Fultz can be relied upon as an NBA starter, or even an average bench player. 2. Salary - Embiid is on the max already. Davis is due $28mil this year and next. Butler has a player option for $19mil next year, but will want the max and years. Fultz and Zhaire Smith alone, take up $17mil. Just about every other player is off contract, including Redick who would ask for at least what he's getting paid now (ie. $12mil). Without going way over the cap, Philly can't afford all three beyond this season without making some very creative salary moves. 3. Chemistry - On paper, Butler, Embiid and Davis sounds great, but I have serious doubts they'd co-exist and thrive together. You really think Butler will be happy as a role player? How would Davis change Embiid's game? The beauty of Simmons is that he doesnt demand the ball and or scoring opportunities...
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Any team would love to get AD. Any player would hate to be the main piece traded back to New Orleans. Ben Simmons is a Rich Paul player. Are New Orleans stupid enough to trade for another Rich Paul client who is a restricted free agent in 2020?
Ad-O
Guest
Interesting. Problem is Ben has so much upside, if he ever gets a consistent 12-15foot jumper he'd be a top 5 player. That's what makes the trade unlikely.