D'Angelo Russell might be amused by this next question. Place your bets on who will appear in a game for their team first: Deshaun Watson or Ben Simmons? Yes, it has become that hectic with the Philadelphia 76ers and their floor general of four seasons. Time is running out for the Sixers to move Simmons for substantial value and/or players who can help them in the immediate future. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been mentioned time and time again as a team with interest in acquiring Simmons.
Word has it that Minnesota wants to keep Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards at all costs. With that said, this is a team that has been in the NBA's cellar for three years; nothing should be off the table.
There's a trade that makes sense for both the 76ers and Timberwolves. That deal is swapping Ben Simmons and D'Angelo Russell.
D'Angelo Russell is an ideal fit for the 76ers' offense
The 76ers need someone who handles the rock and can score at a high level, more specifically taking shots in crunch time. Russell fits the bill.
The 76ers know the Ohio State product is an efficient and reliable shooter and scorer. He has a knack for getting to the rim off the dribble, is a smooth shooter off the dribble and from distance and a composed ball-handler. Across the last three seasons, Russell has averaged a combined 21.1 points and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 37.2 percent from beyond the arc.
In possession of the key to head coach Doc Rivers' offense, Russell would be the team's number two scorer. His skill set would complement and jell alongside star center Joel Embiid, who plays both inside and outside. However, the 76ers player who would benefit the most from Russell's arrival is Tobias Harris.
The veteran forward has been the team's second-best scorer for the last two years and would become the third player defenses focus on. While the 76ers take a defensive hit going from Simmons to Russell, the latter gives them a player who turns their offense into a well-oiled machine.
The 76ers would have three legitimate-to-elite scorers (Embiid, Russell and Harris) and a bevy of scoring jolts present. Danny Green and Seth Curry are stellar shooters. Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton are continually improving scorers. Andre Drummond is money in the paint. They can attack a defense in a multitude of ways.
Ben Simmons is a tremendous fit in the Timberwolves' rotation
The Timberwolves have roster parity, and it comes out on the perimeter. Russell contributes to that situation, whereas Simmons would supplement it if he came over from the 76ers.
At 6-foot-11, Simmons is a unique talent and player. The 76ers didn't maximize his skills, but he had a role in that. Still, there is untapped potential which, with the right fit, can blossom in the future. Simmons can shut down typical-sized guards with his length, is a skilled passer, electric off the dribble and hits the boards at a high level. For his career, Simmons is averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. His precise skill set is what head coach Chris Finch's rotation needs.
Edwards showcased the potential to be an All-Star-caliber scorer in his rookie season through his confidence both hoisting up jump shots and attacking the rack. He needs someone who can run the offense and find him for clean, open looks. Meanwhile, the likes of Malik Beasley, Josh Okogie, Taurean Prince and Jake Layman are capable scoring threats. The 76ers don't have the same dynamic as Minnesota does.
With Edwards attracting the bulk of defensive attention out on the perimeter, Simmons assuming ball-handling duties and Towns scoring all around the floor, the aforementioned players will have minimal attention on them. Speaking of Towns, one may argue that his game draws similarities to the 76ers' best player, Embiid, who Simmons has reportedly grown sour on and views as an impediment to his success (it's incredible).
On the other hand, Towns has increasingly become a player who relies on his shooting ability and reverts to playing in the post as a secondary option. Case in point: He's not necessarily clogging up the paint as much as Embiid. Simmons blowing by defenders takes some attention off Towns, allowing him to pump-fake a last-ditch block attempt and get an easy bucket off the dribble.
76ers and Timberwolves each get what they need
The T-Wolves seem unwilling to move Russell, and the 76ers appear to still be trying to get a king's ransom for Simmons, essentially equating his trade value to that of Paul George or even James Harden. Newsflash: it's not working, and Ben Simmons holding out, as well as Rich Paul's supposed heavy involvement in the matter, isn't making anyone look good.
As for Minnesota, what's their window with a healthy Towns and D'Angelo Russell and an improved Edwards? Are they actually a playoff team or a mere playoff hopeful taking an absurdly unrealistic leap of faith that their raw talent will turn a corner in the standings?
Ben Simmons is a better fit for the T-Wolves, and D'Angelo Russell is a better fit than the former for the 76ers. This may be the impactful trade that's hiding in broad daylight and frankly the best these two teams can do via trade.
Somehow, Simmons and Russell are still just 25 despite it feeling like they've been in the NBA for a decade. They also each have an injured past, negating the fear either team may have about acquiring one of them. Are the 76ers better off without a premier floor general or D'Angelo Russell walking through the door? Does Minnesota have an offense with puzzle pieces that fit or simply productive talent lumped together?
These teams have nothing to lose and everything to gain by swapping the 25-year-olds — and perhaps Minnesota throwing a future first-rounder into the deal. The 76ers are trying to win the Eastern Conference, and Minnesota is trying to get on the right track. Fit is pivotal in the NBA, and both teams add a player who complements those they're building around in this deal.
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