Since the Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons saga began this past summer, many teams have tried to facilitate a trade for the former No. 1 pick. Some organizations have consistently popped up in rumors, while others have come and gone. The Detroit Pistons were a team linked to Simmons early on but appear to have gone in a different direction.
Recently, news surfaced of what the Pistons were willing to send to Philadelphia in exchange for the three-time All-Star. The package included Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk, and draft compensation, per Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer. On the surface, many might consider this a good offer for a player who has yet to take the court this season. That being said, Daryl Morey and the Sixers' front office were right in not pursuing a trade of this framework.
Morey has made it clear what he is looking for in any Simmons trade. Unless an All-Star-caliber player to pair alongside Joel Embiid is on the table, he will remain patient in his efforts. While Grant has taken a large step forward in recent seasons, he might not fit Morey's lofty expectations.
Grant, 27, has proven he can handle a large workload since arriving in Detroit. The former Sixer is currently averaging 20 points per game or more for the second straight season. On top of his increased scoring, Grant is also averaging over one steal and block per game.
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Bey is a 6-foot-7 forward who has shown some nice flashes since being taken 19th overall in the 2020 draft. This season, the 22-year-old is averaging 14.9 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting close to 33% from beyond the arc on high volume.
Of all the rumored offers we've seen for Simmons thus far, the Pistons' offer is arguably among the best. While a deal like this would raise the Sixers' ceiling, it is unsure how much better it makes them.
The Sixers are a team that sees their window of contention being open now. Joel Embiid is a top-10 player in the league, and they want to strike while the iron is hot. Grant is a fine player who continues to improve as he hits his prime, but it is doubtful he can be a second option on a team looking to compete for an NBA championship. Plus, Grant's fit alongside Tobias Harris is questionable as they are both modern-day power forwards.
A trade of this sort would certainly make the Sixers deeper and give them optionality, but it wouldn't move the needle enough. Even with the added depth, they would not be in the same tier as teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets when fully healthy.
Morey has no intentions of selling low for Simmons, and for good reason. What he lands in return for the 25-year-old will greatly impact the Sixers' ability to be in the title picture for Embiid's prime. He must remain patient and wait for a trade that undoubtedly increases their championship odds.
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