76ers: 2020-2021 thread

Euclis20

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This is an interesting one that I was wondering about a few days ago. KD might say no first, but I bet he'd really appreciate Simmons sharing the defensive load.

Edit: Part of the calculation has to include whether or not Kyrie supports the move himself. We know he'll kill a team if he's unhappy.
Even if he doesn't kill the team, is healthy and plays well, I'm still not sure it works for Philly because Kyrie only has one guaranteed year left.
 

cheech13

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Simmons for Kyrie.

Who would score on Brooklyn’s wings against Durant and Simmons and you still have the best offensive 1-2 duo in the game.
Sixers now have two of the best offensive players in the game while eliminating the awful fit with Embiid.

Who says no?
Who says no? Harden and Durant. Probably Klutch, too.
 

Tony C

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Harden and Durant.
Why? Neither are my favorite players. But neither of them are idiots. And both would presumably love not just a better chance of winning but, also, the ball in their hands more often. I think Philly might say no just because Kyrie is so whacky. But the Nets would have to love this deal, and so would their stars.
 

lexrageorge

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Who says no? Harden and Durant. Probably Klutch, too.
Are Harden and Durant that close to Kyrie that they would not want Ben Simmons on the team?

Klutch is a concern, but Kyrie may like Philly for 2 years, after which he'll start his precipitous decline anyway.
 

radsoxfan

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Why? Neither are my favorite players. But neither of them are idiots. And both would presumably love not just a better chance of winning but, also, the ball in their hands more often. I think Philly might say no just because Kyrie is so whacky. But the Nets would have to love this deal, and so would their stars.
Didn't Durant sign with the Nets in part because of Kyrie? I know Kyrie is off his rocker.... maybe Durant is tired of him?

Primarily, I think the Nets Big 3 feel like if healthy, they have more than enough to win a title (they may very well be right). In that case, I find it hard to believe they would be for a major shake-up like Simmons for Kyrie.

If the Nets are healthy and still don't win next year, that probably changes things.
 

radsoxfan

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Are Harden and Durant that close to Kyrie that they would not want Ben Simmons on the team?

Klutch is a concern, but Kyrie may like Philly for 2 years, after which he'll start his precipitous decline anyway.
I just see little to no chance Harden and Durant think they need to change the top of the roster to win.

Unless they are best buds with Simmons and hate Kyrie now, I find it hard to believe they want any sort of major shakeup like that.
 

gammoseditor

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PHI probably. Hayward just can't seem to stay healthy. He's a really good fit, but you can't build a team where Embiid is your "healthier' star.
Probably correct, but I’m operating under the assumption Simmons won’t be back. I think most people agree he goes somewhere. Hard to find a better offer. Maybe Gordon and Miles Bridges with a small piece going with Simmons.

Houston may be worth keeping an eye on too. They don’t want to tank. They have assets. On Phillys side those assets are younger and less ready to win then Hayward but could have more long term value. Houston would have to fit him next to Wood which isn’t ideal.
 

cheech13

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Are Harden and Durant that close to Kyrie that they would not want Ben Simmons on the team?

Klutch is a concern, but Kyrie may like Philly for 2 years, after which he'll start his precipitous decline anyway.
Durant is very close with Kyrie. He left a great situation in Golden State because he wanted to play with him. It was a package deal. Further while I am in believer in Simmons game, I don’t think he is on Kyrie’s level, but more importantly I don’t think other players perceive him to be close to Kyrie’s level.
 

EvilEmpire

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Durant is very close with Kyrie. He left a great situation in Golden State because he wanted to play with him.
This is all very true, but now that Durant has spent a season with him, what does he think now? :D

I wonder how much Kyrie's bullshit wears on his teammates, especially when there are times he doesn't seem super motivated to stay on the court. Easier to put up with nonsense if someone is balling every night.

Anyway, if Simmons is willing to commit to whatever Philly's summer plan for him is, I think this relationship lasts another year. It will get more interesting if Simmons doesn't want to be there.
 

cheech13

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This is all very true, but now that Durant has spent a season with him, what does he think now? :D

I wonder how much Kyrie's bullshit wears on his teammates, especially when there are times he doesn't seem super motivated to stay on the court. Easier to put up with nonsense if someone is balling every night.

Anyway, if Simmons is willing to commit to whatever Philly's summer plan for him is, I think this relationship lasts another year. It will get more interesting if Simmons doesn't want to be there.
The fact that Klutch had a meeting with Sixers management today tells me he clearly doesn’t want to be there.
 

EvilEmpire

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The fact that Klutch had a meeting with Sixers management today tells me he clearly doesn’t want to be there.
I dunno. Certainly possible, maybe even likely. But even if he doesn't, I think they still have a lot to talk about.

I'm sure rumors and leaks about those meetings will come out soon enough.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Isnt Simmons an awful fit for Brooklyn offensively? He cant do ANYTHING without the ball in his hands. He cant post up down low and get in Hardens way. He cant stand in the corner and shoot 3s. If hes got the ball in his hands, he may be able to penetrate and dish to Harden occasionally.

Just feels like a really awkward fit, no?
 

Jakarta

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Isnt Simmons an awful fit for Brooklyn offensively? He cant do ANYTHING without the ball in his hands. He cant post up down low and get in Hardens way. He cant stand in the corner and shoot 3s. If hes got the ball in his hands, he may be able to penetrate and dish to Harden occasionally.

Just feels like a really awkward fit, no?
The bet would be that with Durant and Harden doing the majority of the ball handling, plus Joe Harris at the 3 point line, the paint would be wide open and Simmons would be able to get the ball in the post or the free throw line or the dunkers spot and relentlessly attack the basket, taking advantage of his finishing ability at the rim, or finding open shooters. I actually think there’s a chance it improves the offense as it would make them less iso-heavy.

And even if the offense isnt better, the defense would be so good with Simmons replacing Kyrie. Imagine the difficulty the Celtics would have had scoring if they had both Simmons and Durant to guard Tatum, rather than picking on Kyrie.
 

Cellar-Door

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Isnt Simmons an awful fit for Brooklyn offensively? He cant do ANYTHING without the ball in his hands. He cant post up down low and get in Hardens way. He cant stand in the corner and shoot 3s. If hes got the ball in his hands, he may be able to penetrate and dish to Harden occasionally.

Just feels like a really awkward fit, no?
I assume you play him like Draymond on those 3 GSW teams KD was on, he gets in the paint and passes out of it (Green led the team in AST each of those years) and clamps down the opponent's best guy.
 

slamminsammya

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The bet would be that with Durant and Harden doing the majority of the ball handling, plus Joe Harris at the 3 point line, the paint would be wide open and Simmons would be able to get the ball in the post or the free throw line or the dunkers spot and relentlessly attack the basket, taking advantage of his finishing ability at the rim, or finding open shooters. I actually think there’s a chance it improves the offense as it would make them less iso-heavy.

And even if the offense isnt better, the defense would be so good with Simmons replacing Kyrie. Imagine the difficulty the Celtics would have had scoring if they had both Simmons and Durant to guard Tatum, rather than picking on Kyrie.
In the very limited time they were on the court together the Nets big three were putting up some of the best offensive numbers ever seen. Over the full season they led the league and also were touching all time levels. I can see Simmons working on that offense but I find it a stretch to say they would get better if only for the fact that I can't imagine there being much room to improve from where they were.
 

lovegtm

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Simmons for Kyrie.

Who would score on Brooklyn’s wings against Durant and Simmons and you still have the best offensive 1-2 duo in the game.
Sixers now have two of the best offensive players in the game while eliminating the awful fit with Embiid.

Who says no?
If KD is on-board, this feels like a total no-brainer for the Nets. Simmons would be a huge upgrade on Blake at the 5 whenever the Nets wanted to go into Death Lineup mode. I don't see how you stop that team, if healthy.

The Sixers probably say no because everyone in the league is now terrified of what happens when you upset Kyrie's delicate inner world.
 

benhogan

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If KD is on-board, this feels like a total no-brainer for the Nets. Simmons would be a huge upgrade on Blake at the 5 whenever the Nets wanted to go into Death Lineup mode. I don't see how you stop that team, if healthy.
foul Simmons or let him shoot in Q4?

Just joking, nobody would need to touch the ball other than Harden or Durant in late/close. I'd get out the popcorn and enjoy watching Kyrie and Embiid subtly throw each other under the bus after every loss.

The Simmons overreaction is rather entertaining right now, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Philly deal him. Thybulle does a lot of what Ben does in the halfcourt on the defensive perimeter. Plus the 76ers just got a season of terrific 3pt shooting from Green/Curry, I imagine Morey wants more of that.
 

sezwho

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foul Simmons or let him shoot in Q4?

Just joking, nobody would need to touch the ball other than Harden or Durant in late/close. I'd get out the popcorn and enjoy watching Kyrie and Embiid subtly throw each other under the bus after every loss.

The Simmons overreaction is rather entertaining right now, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Philly deal him. Thybulle does a lot of what Ben does in the halfcourt on the defensive perimeter. Plus the 76ers just got a season of terrific 3pt shooting from Green/Curry, I imagine Morey wants more of that.
Subtly throw each other under the bus?

Maybe for the first couple weeks, but after a nice mid-season losing streak then Id really get the popcorn ready.

That would be entertaining.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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The bet would be that with Durant and Harden doing the majority of the ball handling, plus Joe Harris at the 3 point line, the paint would be wide open and Simmons would be able to get the ball in the post or the free throw line or the dunkers spot and relentlessly attack the basket, taking advantage of his finishing ability at the rim, or finding open shooters. I actually think there’s a chance it improves the offense as it would make them less iso-heavy.

And even if the offense isnt better, the defense would be so good with Simmons replacing Kyrie. Imagine the difficulty the Celtics would have had scoring if they had both Simmons and Durant to guard Tatum, rather than picking on Kyrie.
Would Harden really want Simmons in the post, bringing an extra man down into the paint? Seems counter to his layup or 3 mentality.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Give me just KD and Simmons plus shooters, bangers, and role players (Harris, Shamet, Claxton, Jeff Green, Bruce Brown, e.g.) Forget Mr. Chemistry and The Beard. That team might also have the side benefit of not being completely loathsome.

Not happening, I know…
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Jason Dumas, who is a reporter based out of SF but apparently has ties to PHI, was on the radio yesterday saying that (i) Simmons has cut off contact with PHI, leaving all communications to his agent; (ii) Embiid has reached out a couple of times but Simmons has not called him back; and (iii) being a "young socialite," he doesn't want to go to PDX or TOR but is open to going to CA teams.

Dumas also said that Simmons doesn't want to go back to PHI and that the "damage has been done."

In the article linked below, point (i) was confirmed by another reporter.

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/nba-rumors-ben-simmons-open-warriors-trade-ignoring-joel-embiids-calls
 

cheech13

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Jason Dumas, who is a reporter based out of SF but apparently has ties to PHI, was on the radio yesterday saying that (i) Simmons has cut off contact with PHI, leaving all communications to his agent; (ii) Embiid has reached out a couple of times but Simmons has not called him back; and (iii) being a "young socialite," he doesn't want to go to PDX or TOR but is open to going to CA teams.

Dumas also said that Simmons doesn't want to go back to PHI and that the "damage has been done."

In the article linked below, point (i) was confirmed by another reporter.

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/nba-rumors-ben-simmons-open-warriors-trade-ignoring-joel-embiids-calls
If he’s demanding California the Sixers should send him to Sacramento for Fox and let him rot away on a terrible team for the next half decade.
 

TripleOT

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Jason Dumas, who is a reporter based out of SF but apparently has ties to PHI, was on the radio yesterday saying that (i) Simmons has cut off contact with PHI, leaving all communications to his agent; (ii) Embiid has reached out a couple of times but Simmons has not called him back; and (iii) being a "young socialite," he doesn't want to go to PDX or TOR but is open to going to CA teams.

Dumas also said that Simmons doesn't want to go back to PHI and that the "damage has been done."

In the article linked below, point (i) was confirmed by another reporter.

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/nba-rumors-ben-simmons-open-warriors-trade-ignoring-joel-embiids-calls
The Clips can’t trade a first until 2028, so unless they want to S and T Kawhi or trade Paul George, Philly would have to settle for something like Morris, Mann, Reggie Jackson s+t, and draft picks from the end of the decade, or make a deal with the Kings.

How is the socialite scene in Minnesota?
 

Cellar-Door

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What does a GS/PHI trade even look like?
Kuminga, Moody 2022 unprotected 1st, swaps forever and PHI has to eat Wiggins? That's not exactly appetizing for a team with an MVP candidate coming up on the end of his contract and a bunch of pricy vets.
 

Euclis20

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Simmons on the Warriors is something that's looked interesting for awhile, but:

-Simmons and Green would be a really ugly fit. Even with the best shooting backcourt in NBA history, you'll have spacing issues when there are two guys on the court at the same time who can't shoot at all.
-Now that the draft has happened, the Warriors biggest trade asset is arguably Wiseman, who has no value at all to the Sixers. Wiseman can't play anywhere other than center, and no one is more set at center than the Sixers.

Adding a 3rd team to the mix helps with the second issue, but the first? I don't see any way that the Warriors deal Green, and I doubt they blow their last major chance at adding an impact player to the current group on someone who is completely redundant.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Agreed that Simmons to GS is a poor fit but, on the flip side, this is the sort of trade that team can make given where they are with their core. I highly doubt they trade Draymond but Golden State has enough offense that you can make things work. And you could see a Curry/Thompson/Green/Simmons/Wing X closing line-up work in the playoffs because of Curry's gravity as well as very good to elite playmaking all over the floor. Assuming Thompson can revert to 80% of his previous form and setting aside Curry's limitations, their defense could be insane - just Draymond and Simmons together would be a nightmare. Long limbs blowing everything up while insults rain down on opponents, the ref and the other team's lower body parts.
 

cheech13

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Would GS consider Ben Simmons as a Draymond replacement? You could wrap in Portland and send Draymond there with CJ heading to Philly.
 

radsoxfan

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Yeah I think if anything works at all, it’s a big multi team trade.

Green and Wiseman have to be part of it, but Wiseman can’t go to PHI. Green and Simmons on the floor together isn’t going to work for any length of time.

I can see Simmons as a younger version of Draymond with much more offensive upside. Draymond has been terrible for awhile on offense, but the D is still great.

It would be a reasonable risk to try to turn Draymond, Wiggins, Wiseman, recent/future picks into Simmons + a couple good role players to make a run the next couple of years.

And I say this as not a big Simmons guy. But the Curry Era deserves one more shot and I’m not sure the current roster will give it to them.
 

BigMike

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Yeah I think if anything works at all, it’s a big multi team trade.

Green and Wiseman have to be part of it, but Wiseman can’t go to PHI. Green and Simmons on the floor together isn’t going to work for any length of time.

I can see Simmons as a younger version of Draymond with much more offensive upside. Draymond has been terrible for awhile on offense, but the D is still great.

It would be a reasonable risk to try to turn Draymond, Wiggins, Wiseman, recent/future picks into Simmons + a couple good role players to make a run the next couple of years.

And I say this as not a big Simmons guy. But the Curry Era deserves one more shot and I’m not sure the current roster will give it to them.

Honestly I get that Simmons is younger than Draymond but 7 years or so, but Draymond is such a character player/leader there. I guess if you were GS, the Age gap might be enough to make you make the swap, but I'm not sure it actually makes them a better team. And that is before you add multiple other players/picks. On the other hand, if you believe you can "fix" Ben Simmons then he does have more upside. Maybe you can really fix him and turn him into the player he could have been. But you also could end up with the player who finished this year, and can't be on the floor late in the 4th quarter.

Also I think we need to move past the Andrew Wiggins is a salary dump player thought that still seems to permeate. GS version of Wiggins is a very solid #4 on a good team. He averaged 18 points a game, improved his 3PT percentage, and has an excellent 2PT % . Plus he has become a plus defensive player, who got 1 All defensive team vote, but probably deserved a good bit more. Plus he adds significant value by virtue of being durable, especially on a roster that will need load management.

If GS trades AW, and DG for BS. Does Klay play SF for GS? Does that leave Poole as the starter at the 2

Honestly I think at this point the GSW get worse if they make a trade for Simmons. Both short term and long term