Simmons Prediction Thread

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Interesting how the rumors involving the Pacers have shifted from Malcolm Brogdon to Caris LeVert. That could just be situational reporting, or it's another indication that Ben Simmons' trade value just isn't what Philadelphia thought it would be after they fumbled the entire off-season away. Brogdon is objectively the better player between himself and LeVert and one would think that the former would be who the Sixers preferred in return.

Additionally, is LeVert better than Malik Beasley? He's certainly the better shot creator and facilitator, but he's far from the shooter Beasley is. They both have issues defensively. When you add in that Beasley is two years younger and less expensive annually through 2023 while also having a team option on 2024, I think Beasley is the more attractive guard. That's just my opinion, though. Perhaps the league sees additional risk with Beasley because of his recent involvement with the law... but didn't LeVert have a cancerous mass removed on his kidney earlier this year? Not to mention, he hasn't played more than 47 games since 2017-18. I think the two are probably similar in trade value with their own risk factors involved.

This is all to say that I think Minnesota is definitely still in play for Simmons.

[Coolbreeze44]

I keep hearing they want to move him to the Western conference. I'm thinking Sacramento and Portland at this point.

[Lipoli390]

Interesting how the rumors involving the Pacers have shifted from Malcolm Brogdon to Caris LeVert. That could just be situational reporting, or it's another indication that Ben Simmons' trade value just isn't what Philadelphia thought it would be after they fumbled the entire off-season away. Brogdon is objectively the better player between himself and LeVert and one would think that the former would be who the Sixers preferred in return.

Additionally, is LeVert better than Malik Beasley? He's certainly the better shot creator and facilitator, but he's far from the shooter Beasley is. They both have issues defensively. When you add in that Beasley is two years younger and less expensive annually through 2023 while also having a team option on 2024, I think Beasley is the more attractive guard. That's just my opinion, though. Perhaps the league sees additional risk with Beasley because of his recent involvement with the law... but didn't LeVert have a cancerous mass removed on his kidney earlier this year? Not to mention, he hasn't played more than 47 games since 2017-18. I think the two are probably similar in trade value with their own risk factors involved.

This is all to say that I think Minnesota is definitely still in play for Simmons.

I find that interesting, too. I still think a deal with Indiana will involve Brogdon, not LeVert. But if it's true that LeVert, not Brogdon, is currently the table, then it's definitely more evidence of the low ebb in Simmons' trade value. I think LeVert's health issues tip the balance in favor of Beasley as the better value. Not only did LeVert have a cancerous kidney removed, but he now has a stress fracture in his back. I just don't see the Sixers trading Simmons for a package built around LeVert.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Interesting how the rumors involving the Pacers have shifted from Malcolm Brogdon to Caris LeVert. That could just be situational reporting, or it's another indication that Ben Simmons' trade value just isn't what Philadelphia thought it would be after they fumbled the entire off-season away. Brogdon is objectively the better player between himself and LeVert and one would think that the former would be who the Sixers preferred in return.

Additionally, is LeVert better than Malik Beasley? He's certainly the better shot creator and facilitator, but he's far from the shooter Beasley is. They both have issues defensively. When you add in that Beasley is two years younger and less expensive annually through 2023 while also having a team option on 2024, I think Beasley is the more attractive guard. That's just my opinion, though. Perhaps the league sees additional risk with Beasley because of his recent involvement with the law... but didn't LeVert have a cancerous mass removed on his kidney earlier this year? Not to mention, he hasn't played more than 47 games since 2017-18. I think the two are probably similar in trade value with their own risk factors involved.

This is all to say that I think Minnesota is definitely still in play for Simmons.

I find that interesting, too. I still think a deal with Indiana will involve Brogdon, not LeVert. But if it's true that LeVert, not Brogdon, is currently the table, then it's definitely more evidence of the low ebb in Simmons' trade value. I think LeVert's health issues tip the balance in favor of Beasley as the better value. Not only did LeVert have a cancerous kidney removed, but he now has a stress fracture in his back. I just don't see the Sixers trading Simmons for a package built around LeVert.

To answer Cam's question about who is better... it's LeVert, both offensively and defensively. Unless shooting is the only thing we're judging these guys on.

But LeVert's sordid injury history dates back to college. And it should be a concern for anybody looking to add him. Granted, Beasley's knuckleheadedness evens it out a little bit...

[Lipoli390]

I keep hearing they want to move him to the Western conference. I'm thinking Sacramento and Portland at this point.

I believe the reports that the Sixers prefer to trade Simmons to a Western Conference team. All other things being equal, I think that's what they'll do. I agree that the Kings and Blazers are probably the two most likely Western Conference destinations for Simmons at this point. If Simmons gets dealt to the Kings, I think it will be in exchange for Haliburton and Hield + a future pick or some other asset. If it's with Portland, I think the Sixers will receive a package built around CJ McCollum. It could see the Sixers dealing Simmons and Curry for McCollum, Covington and a future pick. I don't think the Wolves are out of the running, but I'd put my money on the Western Conference Kings or Portland as the teams most likely to end up with Simmons.

In spite of the Sixers preference to trade Simmons to the West, I still think Cleveland and Indiana have a good chance of ending up with Ben. I see a possible deal with Cleveland involving Sexton and Rubio or Love. I also see a possible deal with Indiana involving Brogdon.

[FNG]

Nobody in Philly can be happy with Maxey's debut as starting PG last night. Only 3 assists (they had only 19 as a team) and 4 TO's, and 0-2 on threes and a -15. The more he fails, the more eager Philly will be to trade Simmons for a reliable PG.

[Lipoli390]

Nobody in Philly can be happy with Maxey's debut as starting PG last night. Only 3 assists (they had only 19 as a team) and 4 TO's, and 0-2 on threes and a -15. The more he fails, the more eager Philly will be to trade Simmons for a reliable PG.

We've see a lot of hype about Maxey this off season. I've found it laughable. He looks like he could be a decent rotation player some day. But his ceiling isn't much higher than than. And right now, he's not even a rotation player, much less a viable alternative to Simmons. Morey can hold out all he wants, but there's a reality that exists outside his immense ego. At some point that reality will penetrate the Sixers' organization and compel them to deal Simmons for far less than the Sixers want or that Morey believed he'd get.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

1 - Yes

2 - I honestly think the Wolves will get him. But I have no idea what will be going back to Philly, or whether it will take a third team.

This is from the first page in this thread.

I keep hearing they want to move him to the Western conference. I'm thinking Sacramento and Portland at this point.

Cool, I'm curious as to what transpired that made you change your take on where Ben Simmons lands. If you could point to something specific, that would be great. Thanks.

[Lipoli390]

Cam - I'm not sure what has changed Cool's mind, but I'll tell you why my mind has changed.

I initially predicted that the Wolves would end up with Simmons in exchange for Beasley, McDaniels, Prince and the rights to Bolmaro plus our 2022 and 2024 1st-round picks unprotected and our 2026 1st-round pick lottery protected. I no longer see this happening because I suspect the Wolves already offered this package (perhaps without Jaden) and had it rejected by Philly. That tells me the Sixers won't do a deal that fails to return a high-quality lead guard like Brogdon, VanVleet, Dejounte Murray or perhaps even Sexton or Haliburton. And I can't see a realistic 3-team deal involving the Wolves that would get the Sixers what they want/need. Morey can't expect to get Beal, LIllard or Fox. But I still think he can get Brogdon, VanVleet,, Murray or Sexton. I also suspect the Kings will eventually make Haliburton available.

I could certainly be wrong. I still think the Wolves are willing to offer a Beasley/Prince package that gives the Sixers as many as 4 future 1st-round lightly protected (or unprotected) picks. But I don't think the Wolves are willing to include Beverley and I'm not sure they'd be willing to include McDaniels. The package I suggested would be a really high-value package for the Sixers. I just don't see the Sixers opting for a high-value package that fails to give them the near-term players they need to help them compete this season.

[FNG]

If Russell's stellar performance in the first game continues through the preseason and Maxey continues to struggle, my hopes for a Simmons/DLO trade will be restored. You gotta believe Morey is closely watching performances in preseason, and his opinion of DLO had to change somewhat Monday night. But if DLO reverts back to the guy he has been in his first 6 years, I see little chance of a Simmons deal for us. I have to admit DLO raised my hopes Monday night.