Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Jaylen Brown, F Juancho Hernangomez, F Grant Williams, BOS 2022 2nd Round Pick, POR 2023 2nd Round Pick
Boston Celtics Receive: G/F Ben Simmons, G Shake Milton, PHI 2023 1st Round Pick (Unprotected), PHI 2026 1st Round Pick (Swap, More Favorable to BOS)
Just throwing a trade out there and taking a look at it, there is just no way that the Boston Celtics would be interested in moving Jaylen Brown right now. With the way their team is constructed, losing Brown would immediately force the Celtics to go back to the drawing boards to try and figure out their plans moving forward.
For a team that has not begun the new season the way they had hoped and already having some internal problems, going out and bringing in Ben Simmons is the last thing this team needs to do. Not only is his mental health a concern right now, but all the negative media attention that will come with him to Boston is just not worthwhile for the Celtics right now.
Moving guys like Juancho Hernangomez and Grant Williams are definitely possibilities for the Celtics this season, just not in a trade package with Jaylen Brown. Both Hernangomez and Williams are second-unit bench players for Boston this season and with the Celtics having a ton of trade exceptions to possibly use, these are two players that could be leveraged ahead of the trade deadline.
As for Philadelphia, trading Ben Simmons before the trade deadline this season is still a very high possibility, especially with him refusing help from the Philadelphia 76ers staff. According to ESPN, Simmons will not meet with team doctors and the All-Star has kind of kept the Sixers “in the dark” a little bit on his status moving forward.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Celtics Engaged With 76ers For Ben Simmons Trade
Drawing this whole situation out closer to the trade deadline is probably what Daryl Morey has in mind right now, especially since many teams are not willing to trade All-Star-level talent right now. Seeing as they are 8-2 and once again a top of the Eastern Conference standings, the 76ers have nothing to worry about right now.
They should be more than willing to let Simmons sit out and continue to fine him for not being around, especially since his value is not really going to change.
Obviously since he has not played since the playoffs, teams may view less of him, but by the trade deadline when teams begin to figure out what their season trajectory looks like, they could be more eager to finally make a move for the 3x All-Star because of the impacts he brings on both ends of the floor as a defensive stopper and overall solid playmaker/facilitator on offense.
Figuring out a trade that works for both sides in this 76ers/Celtics ordeal is just so difficult, especially since both teams are over the luxury tax line for the season. Giving up Jaylen Brown is something the Celtics have shown no interest in doing thus far and quite honestly, they would just be worsening their situation with Ben Simmons.
What he brings to the table defensively could help them and he is a great facilitator that could Fit in well next to Tatum, but the production they would lose on offense from Brown going to Philadelphia would be too much for the Boston Celtics to recover from this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Celtics Engaged With 76ers For Ben Simmons Trade
While some within the Celtics organization may truly have interest in Ben Simmons, there is just no way that Brad Stevens and this front-office would strike a deal with the Sixers right now, especially if they have to trade away Brown.
