Subscribe
Follow Us
After new reports came out almost daily regarding the Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons trade saga this summer, things came to a screeching halt once training camp was underway. Now that teams have gotten a handful of games under their belt, rumors are beginning to swirl again.
In his latest news dump, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Sixers and Boston Celtics have “engaged in conversation” regarding a trade for the former No. 1 pick. For a deal between these teams to work, Boston would have to part ways with Jaylen Brown.
Brown, 25, has steadily improved his game each year he has been in the league. So far this season, he is posting averages of 25.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. It is still unclear if the Celtics are willing to part ways with the former top-three pick, but if he's available, this is a move Daryl Morey should have near the top of his list.
The main reason why a Simmons trade never happened this summer was Morey stood firm in his asking price for the three-time All-Star. Unless a high-caliber player who increased the team's odds of competing for a title was on the table, he was not budging. That said, Brown is the type of player who meets his criteria.
Among all the players rumored in the Simmons saga, Brown checks the most boxes. He fits the timeline of the team, is an All-Star, and has plenty of playoff experience under his belt. Not to mention he is under contract through the 2023-2024 season.
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
While he might not be much of a facilitator, Brown's game fits what the Sixers need. He is someone who can create his own offense and can score on all three levels. Not only would he be a good partner with Joel Embiid in the pick-and-roll, but Brown is shooting just under 40% from beyond the arc on high volume as well.
There is also the defensive end of the floor to look at. While Brown might not be a prolific perimeter defender like Simmons, he can still help fill the void left by the Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Brown too can defend multiple positions.
Morey held on to Simmons to start the season, hoping a team might stumble out of the gate. Seeing how things have played out, the Celtics might be that team. They are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 4-6. This poor start has also caused some disarray within the locker room, as the players recently held a closed-door meeting in hopes to get back on track.
One reason why Morey might be hesitant on a deal of this nature is the team involved. He understands the Sixers' window to compete for a title is now, and because of that, might be reluctant to help improve a team that could pose a threat in the postseason down the line.
This report is the first time a needle-moving player has been linked to the Simmons situation. Whether talks between Philly and Boston have any real traction or not, this is an avenue Morey should strongly consider pursuing.
