Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Ben Simmons and G Shake Milton

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G CJ McCollum, F Robert Covington and 2023 first-round pick

The trade begins with Simmons headed to Portland, along with Shake Milton, in exchange for CJ McCollum, Robert Covington, and a future first-round pick in 2023. Simmons is owed $146.5 million over the next four seasons, so Philadelphia will need to find a team that can send them a player — or players — in return that nearly matches his salary.

Or the 76ers can find a team that can absorb the rest of Simmons’ contract in hopes to pursue free agents in the offseason. But in this scenario, Philadelphia finds Portland, who has a player in McCollum that can help make the money work in a deal.

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons trade value is ‘plummeting’ with poor playoff showing

CJ McCollum will be starting his new extension with the Trail Blazers next season, where he is due $100 million over the next three years. As for Covington, he has one year remaining on his current contract, with a $12.9 million cap hit in 2021-2022.

For Milton, he isn’t carrying a heavy cap hit as he’s being included in the trade as a convincing piece for the Trail Blazers. To complete the trade, despite the possibility of Simmons’ trade value declining, the 76ers will garner a future 2023 first-round pick from the Trail Blazers.

There’s a chance that both sides agree to a pick swap instead of one team getting a first-round selection in the move.