Utah Jazz receive: G/F Ben Simmons, 2023 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F/C Anthony Davis
Whether this deal works for all parties or not will depend on the Utah Jazz’s view of Simmons.
Certainly, everyone’s is not a rosy one. Like Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons has spent a large portion of his career sidelined for ambiguous reasons. If the brass in Salt Lake City would rather avoid the risk, they’ll decline this trade even if Mitchell’s trade demand is already on their desk.
On the other hand, they may like Simmons’ upside. For all the concerns, he’s a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate with some of the best floor vision in the league. He’s also only 25 years old. If he can get his body and mind right, acquiring him along with two first-round picks is great value in return for a star who’s demanding a trade.
This is an interesting deal for the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s also probably a no-brainer. Mitchell is several years younger than Davis and has a proven record of production over the last several seasons. It’s a good trade for the Nets as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Under-The-Radar Trade Destinations For Lakers’ Anthony Davis
While both Davis and Simmons are risky, Davis stands to complement Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving more with his rim protection and interior presence if he does pan out.
Of course, if Utah can’t stomach the risk of Simmons, this deal won’t be on the table. In that event, here’s a third trade that lands Davis in Brooklyn.
