3 trade packages Thunder could actually consider for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA trade rumors
NBA Analysis Network
Philadelphia 76ers
Elsa/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, F Kenrich Williams, BOS 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #16), MIA 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #18), OKC 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #34)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G Ben Simmons, F Matisse Thybulle

After their defeat to the hands of the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Philadelphia 76ers have been gauging trade interest in Ben Simmons league-wide and have not only received trades for the All-Star, but have been actively offering him in various trade packages as well. 

Simmons really struggled in the postseason for the 76ers this year and as a result, his time in Philadelphia could be coming to an end. The former #1 overall pick in 2016 is now 25-years-old and still growing as an overall two-way player in this league, but the Sixers do not have time to waste sitting around and waiting for Ben Simmons to become the two-way star he was destined to be. 

Philly is in a situation right now where their championship window is small and closing not only because the Brooklyn Nets will be healthy with their “Big 3” next season, but because the Milwaukee Bucks surpassed them this year and won the 2021 NBA Finals. The 76ers, even though they were the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference, are being viewed as the third best team in their conference, which is why they need to make a big move to add more talent. 

Moving Simmons in a deal to acquire Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is definitely advantageous to the 76ers not only because they can add a high-level, young guard to replace Simmons, but because they would also get some first-round picks in this year’s draft that they could look to flip for another key talent. 

READ MORE: Predictions for Stars in NBA Rumors: Beal, Simmons, Westbrook, Leonard, Turner

For the Thunder, they are going to want an All-Star-level talent in return for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which is why trading him for Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle could be smart for them. Both Simmons and Thybulle are great defensive players and they are both young as well, fitting into OKC’s mold for the type of players they want to add to their roster. 

With Kemba Walker already under contract and on their roster, the Thunder would have him, Simmons, Thybulle, Bazley, Dort, Pokusevski, Maledon and the 6th overall pick in this year’s draft as their core, which is pretty strong to build with. Adding a player like Jonathan Kuminga or James Bouknight to their roster with said 6th pick could make the Thunder a sneaky team to play in the Western Conference and potentially a team that works their way into the play-in tournament next year. 

READ MORE: Predictions for Stars in NBA Rumors: Beal, Simmons, Westbrook, Leonard, Turner

Ben Simmons is definitely a player of value to the Thunder and could be someone they are interested in acquiring should they look to trade Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City would be giving up a lot of draft capital in this deal, but Simmons still has the potential to turn into the best two-way player in the league. 

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