The Philadelphia 76ers had a very disappointing end to the season and need to make drastic changes. Joel Embiid is one of the best players in the league. Embiid finished second in NBA MVP honors this season and showed his toughness in the playoffs. Now he needs a better No. 2 player on the Sixers.
While Embiid played well throughout the season his costar Ben Simmons struggled heavily and was a big reason why the 76ers lost. It seems the duo won't fit well together and the 76ers need to move him to get a superstar that fits with Joel Embiid.
Before the Sixers can figure out the perfect superstar teammate to pair with Joel Embiid, they will need to figure out Simmons trade value.
What is Simmons' trade value now?
Simmons' trade value diminished in the playoffs. He was a liability on the floor, as Joel Embiid knows. Simmons was never known as a scorer but his inability to grow as a shooter has hindered his game. Simmons shot atrociously from the free throw line this postseason, a 34.2 shooting percentage. That number was the worst of any player in the playoffs in NBA history for a player with at least 70 attempts.
Although his trade value is a lot lower compared to before the playoffs he still has some value. He finished second in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting and is a great passer. In a new situation Simmons could still be a productive player. Any trade the 76ers make for a superstar will most likely involve Simmons.
What superstar is the perfect teammate for Joel Embiid?
Embiid is a great scorer especially in the post but the team needs another player that can score at will. While it may take a lot to make the trade happen Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard would be the perfect pair with Joel Embiid. Lillard is a top player in the league and can create for himself and others.
He is one of the best shooters in the league which is the opposite of what Simmons was. The spacing of the team would be a lot better and the defense would still be solid. Even without Simmons the 76ers have great defensive players that could continue establishing the tone on that end of the floor.
A Lillard trade will be hard to pull of but if they have a chance to pull it off they need to pounce. The Trail Blazers will need to send more then Simmons in return by including multiple first round picks and potentially a young player such as Tyrese Maxey. If the Sixers can pull off a trade like this they will become true championship contenders next season.
Lillard has proven his ability to carry his team and paired with Joel Embiid they could become one of the top duo's in the league. There are so many teams that have multiple superstars and the 76ers could join that list with this move. In order to compete with teams like the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers you need to have a great one two punch.
A pick and roll combination between Lillard and Embiid would be nearly impossible to stop. Lillard is lethal from the three point line and finish at the rim while Joel Embiid is also able to stretch the floor and dominate in the paint.
The Sixers should do whatever they can to make this trade for Lillard to become contenders for a championship.
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