New Orleans Pelicans: A Blockbuster Trade to Get Ben Simmons
The Franchise Changer
This trade only works if both teams are unhappy with their current direction and want a big change. Sixers fans are not keen to trade Simmons and would much rather the team ship out Al Horford’s monster deal, but that may not be possible without trading Simmons as well.
Why the Sixers would do it
Al Horford played poorly in the playoffs, and the Sixers are desperate to get off his contract. Desperate enough to trade Simmons to do it? Probably not, but this is another trade they’d have to consider.
The Sixers improve their shooting without giving up much on defense, as Holiday is also an above-average defender. They get off of Horford’s contract and now have a much faster-paced team with more shooting around Embiid.
They’d free up a ton of cap space to potentially grab another max player in 2021 free agency.
Why the Pelicans would do it
Woof. I am not sure they would, as it would potentially cause some problems down the road.
Yes, there is a whole lot to like about a starting lineup of Lonzo, Simmons, Ingram, Zion and Al Horford, but that Horford contract is worrying to say the least.
It would likely result in the Pelicans being unable to offer a max extension to Lonzo Ball, though it ends in the same season as Zion’s so wouldn’t be a factor there.
It would be a risky move, and one that would speed up the timetable for the Pelicans, but god that would be a fun team to watch. Is Simmons worth the risk of losing Lonzo and taking on that monster Horford contract? A really tough call.
There is also an argument to try as hard as you can to win with Zion now, as who knows how his health will hold up down the road.
These trades are unlikely to happen, but the New Orleans Pelicans are in a unique position to try and build a super team around Zion. Whether Philly would be open to these offers is anyone’s guess, but they’d at least have to consider them after another disappointing season.