Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G/F Kenrich Williams, UTA 2024 1st Round Pick (Top-10 Protected, via OKC), PHI 2025 1st Round Pick (via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G/F Ben Simmons, G Jaden Springer, G Isaiah Joe, PHI 2022 1st Round Pick (Unprotected)
This would certainly be a league-changing type trade, mostly for the fact that Ben Simmons would be on the move. He has drawn a lot of criticism over the last few months for his low-level play offensively in Philadelphia, but when you look at the big picture, he really has not been the one that should be blamed for them losing in the playoffs.
While he definitely could have played better, Simmons has averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals and has shot 56% from the floor over the course of the last four seasons in Philadelphia.
Those really are not bad numbers, so maybe the problem with Ben Simmons and the 76ers is the fact that the team is not using him correctly and they are trying to make him a certain kind of player that he is not.
Getting a fresh start in Oklahoma City where he could be in charge of what kind of player he wants to be could open the door for Simmons to become the elite-level two-way threat that he was destined to be when he was drafted first overall in 2016.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Source: 76ers Believe Ben Simmons Is The Key To Landing Damian Lillard
Not to mention, Jaden Springer and Isaiah Joe are two young backcourt pieces for the Thunder to add that have a lot to bring to the table.
At 19-years-old, Jaden Springer is one of the youngest players in the league, but he is also an insane athlete with the potential to become a great off-the-ball defender.
Isaiah Joe has already begun to take the next step in his career since entering the league last season, as Joe put together a great preseason and has shown flashes of his scoring potential at the NBA-level.
Both young talents, along with Ben Simmons could get immediate playing time in Oklahoma City and begin to build something very special over the next few seasons. In Philadelphia, the 76ers would be getting the combo-guard scorer and facilitator that they have been searching for, along with a solid rotational player in Kenrich Williams.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Source: 76ers Believe Ben Simmons Is The Key To Landing Damian Lillard
The details of what picks would be traded and involved in this deal would definitely need to be sorted out, as these picks above are just placeholders for the time being. Trading their first-round pick in 2022 may not be favorable for the 76ers, but if they believe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could help them compete for a championship over the course of his contract, then giving up this first-round pick would not really matter.
Gilgeous-Alexander is under contract through the 2026-27 season and being only 23-years-old, he would fit in nicely next to Joel Embiid (27) and Tobias Harris (29) for at least the next several seasons.
