How This Trade Impacts Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have to eventually do something with Ben Simmons. If they have to lower their asking price to move him, so be it. The sooner they get a deal done the better as they could then focus on the rest of their roster and build a contending team.

There is a lot of risk in acquiring a player in Klay Thompson, who has not played since the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. But, if he is right, he is a perfect player to add around Joel Embiid.

Thompson is an elite 3-point shooter and excellent defender, giving Philadelphia another two-way difference maker along with Danny Green on the wing. His presence would surely improve the team’s offense.

But, the 76ers would be left with a gaping hole at the point guard position. There was already a bit of a need with Simmons in the fold, as Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton, and rookie Jaden Springer are the options to back him up currently on the roster.

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Swapping Simmons for Thompson has its perks, but the lack of a lead playmaker could tank what would be an efficient offense if there is no one to get players into position to succeed. 

Without having someone in place to take over as the starting point guard, the 76ers would be hesitant to do this deal. Trading away a 25-year old with the potential of Simmons for a 31-year old with legitimate injury concerns in Thompson doesn’t seem like a swap that would interest Philadelphia too much.