Does this trade make sense for the Philadelphia 76ers?
Adding Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III, plus a young talent with the 9th pick in the draft definitely has its advantages for the 76ers in regards to contending for a championship, but I am not really sure that they get better by making this trade. They would take a big hit defensively since neither Hield nor Bagley are known for being threats on that end of the court, but they would be giving up on Ben Simmons too early in this scenario.
He had a really bad showing in the playoffs this year, specifically at the free-throw line, but trading Ben Simmons for Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III does not push the 76ers over the edge in terms of contending for a championship.
Hield helps their perimeter-shooting and Bagley gives the Sixers more of an interior threat, but both guys are nothing more than solid role players for this team.
Ben Simmons is an All-Star and an All-NBA performer for a reason, so trading him for less value than an All-Star could really ruin what the Philadelphia 76ers have built over the years. Keeping Ben Simmons in this scenario definitely makes the most sense, but this does not mean that the Sixers should not trade Ben Simmons.
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If the 76ers can get a talent like Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum for Simmons, they should definitely pull the trigger because those are two All-Star-level players. Hield is the best version of himself right now and Bagley is entering the final year of his contract, thus being a “one-year loan” type of player for Philadelphia.
The value to gain from this trade would be for the 2021-22 season, plus whatever type of value they can salvage with these two draft picks Philly would get from Sacramento. This is a team that is on the verge of breaking through in the Eastern Conference and contending for a title, which is why trading Ben Simmons for talented players, but not main focal points and contributors would be a waste for the Sixers.
Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III are really solid players, but neither of them have what it takes to push the 76ers over the edge in terms of being championship contenders. Ben Simmons does have this potential, which is why they should not trade him to the Sacramento Kings.
