Why the Philadelphia 76ers Should Do It
As with any hypothetical trade involving Ben Simmons, rationalizing it begins with the notion that the Philadelphia 76ers have decided to break up the Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons duo.
If Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey feel they’ll have a better chance for success by reshuffling the core, this would net them a foundational player in Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr., 22, is younger than Simmons, who is 24. Porter Jr. is also still on his rookie contract as Simmons embarks on his extension— netting just under $30.6 million during the upcoming season.
The 76ers also would acquire veteran backcourt depth in Gary Harris and Will Barton, giving Rivers ample options at the guard spots. The 1st round pick is a nice addition as well, but at its core, this would be Philadelphia betting on Porter Jr.’s continued development.
To trade Simmons for Porter Jr., the 76ers would have to be confident in his future as a star in the league. Embiid and Porter Jr. would form the new core of the team, as Rivers and Morey try to create a sustained contender.
