Does this trade make sense for the Philadelphia 76ers?

Yes, yes, and yes. The goal for the 76ers this offseason is to give Embiid a running mate that he can rely on to score. CJ McCollum is more than capable as a scorer, having posted 20+ points per game in six consecutive seasons. The veteran shooting guard has turned into a talented three-level scorer, and his ability to create for others is underrated.

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The main thing that McCollum brings is spacing, as Philadelphia understands it is crucial for Embiid to have shooters around him. Beside getting a pristine scorer in McCollum, the 76ers would reunite with Covington, who was with the franchise from 2014-2018. Covington has always been a player that plays his role well, regardless of where he is playing.

This past season, Covington was the starting power forward for the Trail Blazers, recording 8.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and he shot 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. Adding Covington would insert a two-way forward to Philadelphia’s lineup, giving them a valuable asset against the contending teams in the Eastern Conference.

In addition, there would likely be draft picks involved in the trade. What draft picks go where is reliant upon how Portland views Simmons as a player right now. If the Trail Blazers are confident they can help him improve as a scorer, then they could send a first-round pick or two to the 76ers.

Or if due to his underwhelming play in the postseason, Simmons’ trade value could have taken a hit, causing Philadelphia to part ways with a first-round pick to complete a trade. As long as it doesn’t mortgage the entire team’s future, there’s no reason the 76ers shouldn’t accept this trade.