The Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons saga has still not reached a resolution. Sixers president Daryl Morey is holding firm in trade talks involving Simmons, while the disgruntled three-time All-Star appears prepared to sit out the season if he's not traded. There's a chance this all goes past the trade deadline and into the offseason, which would be a mistake because of Joel Embiid's MVP-caliber season.
Embiid is having arguably the best season of his career, keeping the Sixers afloat in the Eastern Conference despite the absence of Simmons and plenty of other health issues. While Embiid has a solid supporting cast featuring Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and Seth Curry, Morey adding two or three sensational pieces to play alongside their core could mean the difference between an NBA title and a disappointing playoff exit.
This is why the Sixers must trade Simmons to take advantage of Embiid's dominance, even if the superstar center is supposedly willing to be patient on that front.
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Why Sixers must trade Ben Simmons
1. Joel Embiid is injury-prone
Knock on wood, but Embiid has been relatively healthy for the first half of their 2021-22 campaign. That hasn't been the case over the course of his career given he even missed two full seasons before stepping foot on the court for his first career NBA game, and last season he played through a torn meniscus in the playoffs. When there's a season in which Embiid is feasting and healthy for the majority of the games, his squad must be in contention for the coveted NBA championship.
The East definitely got tougher from the previous seasons, but Morey must realize that the reported Sacramento Kings package or other unreported deals lurking could elevate Philadelphia to a serious title contender. With Embiid in tip-top shape, at least for now, the Sixers must take advantage of it.
2. Ben Simmons' value could continually decrease
All these organizations reportedly interested in Simmons' services know that he's still a top-five defender in the Association at the very least. Moreover, his overall talent is still All-Star-caliber. Even if he continues to train everyday, it's vastly different for an athlete to experience zero games for one season. Being in game shape and getting the constant repetitions against NBA-caliber opponents cannot be compared to just working out in the gym or playing scrimmage with other individuals.
The rust will eventually kick in on Simmons' body, which could decrease the packages being offered to Philadelphia. It's plausible for a franchise to have the utmost belief in his talent, but the probability could just eventually die down as the Sixers continue paying him over the next four years. Sticking it out and having the pride as Sixers president has its limits, and Morey cannot be too stubborn when it comes to letting go of his prized young stud.
3. East is wide open
When LeBron James was still rampaging through every team in the East, it was inevitable for his squad to reach the Finals. Ever since his departure, the competition in the conference has been more balanced and parity has increased among a plethora of teams. Philadelphia has been a staple in the playoffs over the past seasons, but this year could be the time for them to win the East.
This is especially true with Kevin Durant out for an extended period and Kyrie Irving still just a part-time player. Another top contender in the Chicago Bulls is dealing with a bunch of injury woes, and no other team has separated itself from the pack, including the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.
The wing and combo guard positions are where Morey can focus on as he prioritizes certain individuals he could acquire to flourish under the tutelage of Doc Rivers. Legitimate shooters, like Curry, are one key ingredient who must surround Embiid, or even superb wing stoppers to help Matisse Thybulle and Danny Green.
Simmons is a rare breed of talent at 6-foot-10 with guard-like skills, but he's not close to an untouchable asset. His value is still at a phenomenal level, so Morey must take advantage of it before it's too late. It will be tough to let go of Simmons without getting a bona fide superstar back like Morey wants, but he must prioritize the long-term development and outlook of the franchise under their best player in Embiid. The fans from The City of Brotherly Love are eager for their first NBA championship since 1983, and that's not far from the realm of possibility this season with Embiid at the helm in a wide-open East.
Embiid simply could use more help, so trading Simmons now for a strong package is the way to go as the Sixers try to win a title this season.
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