Could Ben Simmons Be Traded? Raptors Series Raises Questions About Playing With Joel Embiid, 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are on the brink of being eliminated from the 2019 NBA playoffs after being blown out by the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their second-round series. Philadelphia wasn’t even competitive in the 125-89 loss with their foundational stars providing little production.

Joel Embiid was held to 13 points and six rebounds to go along with eight turnovers in Tuesday’s defeat. Ben Simmons had just seven points and four assists.

Embiid has battled a knee injury and illness in five games against the 76ers. His durability has been an issue throughout his career, though he’s largely performed like a superstar when healthy. The center was dominant in Game 4 when he posted 33 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

Simmons is 100 percent healthy, as far as anyone knows, yet he’s been missing in action all series long. He’s been limited to 9.4 points and 4.6 assists per game.

With the 76ers’ title hopes on life support, there has been increased discussion regarding the point guard’s future in Philadelphia.

The 76ers denied a report in The New York Daily News last month that said general manager Elton Brand wanted to pursue dealing Simmons. The idea that Philadelphia should look to trade the 22-year-old is one that’s becoming more popular among those that cover the league.

A potential Simmons-for-Anthony Davis swap became a topic of discussion when the New Orleans Pelicans’ star asked for a trade in the middle of the season. That was never going to happen during the year when the 76ers were playing like one of the best teams in the East, in addition to the fact that the players share the representation.

Now, Simmons is struggling mightily in the postseason for a second straight year, and the odd fit between him and Embiid has become even more apparent.

After the 76ers lost to the Raptors at home in Game 4 behind a lackluster 10-point performance by the guard, Bill Simmons suggested on his “Bill Simmons Podcast” that Philadelphia should seriously consider moving on from the guard. Fewer than 12 hours after the 76ers fell into a 3-2 series hole, ESPN’s Jalen Rose said on “Get Up” that the organization would be best served to trade Simmons in the offseason.

It’s a decision Philadelphia might have to make sooner rather than later, even though Simmons is only a year older than the legal drinking age.

As he enters his fourth NBA season, Simmons will be eligible to sign a max contract extension this summer worth well over $150 million. Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler are both set to hit free agency in July, and they’ll be seeking max deals. J.J. Redick is also in the last year of his contract.

The Process is over, and the 76ers have to decide what they want the core of their roster to look like for the next several seasons.

Simmons' inability to score outside of the paint has made him a liability on offense in the playoffs. He becomes a player that elite defenses don’t even have to concern themselves with.

In the regular season, Simmons is able to get out into transition more and make plays while attacking the basket. It’s why he averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 79 regular-season games, propelling him to the All-Star team.

It’s been a completely different story in the playoffs.

Simmons was neutralized in the second round of the 2018 playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia has survived for longer than five games this year, but Simmons has been even more of a non-factor with Butler taking over as the facilitator.

Since scoring 14 points in a series-opening loss, Simmons has failed to score more than 10 points in four straight games. He’s had more than five assists just once. Simmons has made one free throw in the entire series.

Maybe Simmons could still be very effective in the postseason if Philadelphia’s top scorer was a great outside shooter. The Milwaukee Bucks have thrived despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s limited range—though Simmons’ shot makes Antetokounmpo look like Stephen Curry—because he’s surrounded by players that hit threes.

Simmons, on the other hand, plays for a team that gets a good portion of its scoring from a center that does most of his work in the paint. Embiid’s game doesn’t complement Simmons’ skillset. The value Philadelphia could get in exchange for Simmons might far exceed what he actually brings to the team, as currently constructed.

All of that, of course, changes if Simmons is able to develop a jump shot. It’s certainly something that can happen, considering he’s so young with so much talent.

Countless NBA stars began as non-shooters, and some even turned into terrific shot-makers. Just look at Kawhi Leonard, who entered the league with an iffy jumper and is almost single-handedly beating Philadelphia with 34.6 points per game on 58.3 percent shooting. Toronto’s superstar has gone 27-58 from three-point range in the playoffs.

Does Philadelphia have time to wait for a jumper that might never come? The 76ers could have a record payroll next year. Embiid's health concerns might mean his time as a superstar will be limited. Who knows what the 76ers will look like when Simmons finally is willing to launch threes in an actual NBA game?

Jared Dudley of the Brooklyn Nets made headlines last round when he called Simmons “average” in the half-court. The guard responded by scoring 31 points on 13 field-goal attempts and dropping nine assists in a Game 3 victory that led to Philadelphia dismissing Brooklyn in five games.

Unless Simmons plays like that for a few more postseason games, add him to the list of stars that many believe will have a real chance to change teams this summer.