The Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on two different paths as they head into the 2019-20 NBA season.
For the Sixers, it's all about staking a claim as the best team in the Eastern Conference and emerge as the best in the NBA when it's all said and done. For the Thunder, it appears a rebuild is in order. With the Paul George trade, Russell Westbrook no longer has a sidekick. With reports that he's on the trade block, should the Sixers make a move?
For many Philly fans, Ben Simmons is as good as untouchable. But should he be? Although he's an All-Star, his shortcomings will continue to hurt the team unless he develops a perimeter game.
But if they were to trade Simmons for Westbrook, would that put the Philadelphia as the best team in the East? Yes.
Take a look at what the Thunder received in return for Paul George. With Sam Presti looking to go young, he traded an MVP candidate for Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and four future first-round picks along with rights to swap others. If they can get that for George, then the Sixers can make a major play for Westbrook. Thanks to Ben Simmons.
Despite the beating Westbrook has endured in the last couple of seasons in terms of being labeled selfish, not a winner and more, he's still one of the best players in the NBA.
Case in point. While critics have dogged Westbrook for not winning, Kevin Durant won an MVP while with him. Last season, George averaged 28.0 points per game (career-high) while playing alongside him as well. As for James Harden, he never wanted to leave Westbrook's side. With that said, how has anyone over these years suffered while taking passes or watching Westbrook averaged a triple-double?
Has the Thunder won a championship in his time there? No. But how many teams have won in the last six years other than Golden State and Cleveland?
Now, in order for this deal to happen, the Philadelphia 76ers will have to part with Ben Simmons who is rumored to be in talks for a huge new contract. While Simmons is no Westbrook, the Thunder must think future. Although they just received Gilgeous-Alexander form the Clippers, Simmons could slide to PF which will give the Thunder two great ball-handlers to throw defenses off.
To make this trade more respectable, Philly will also have to throw in someone like rookie Matisse Thybulle and four draft picks. While the Sixers will be giving up a piece of their future in Simmons and picks, Westbrook could lead them to another parade on Broad Street. Westbrook will turn 31 by the end of the season. Meaning, he has another six years left in him at an above-average skill set.
Pairing Westbrook with Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris will elevate everyone's game. Simmons is good. Last season he averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists while shooting 56.3 percent from the floor. On the flip side of that coin is Westbrook. He averaged 22.9 points, 10.7 assists, and 11.1 rebounds last season while shooting 42.8 percent from the floor. But in this case, it's not about the numbers.
Simmons will get his assists and Westbrook will get his. What this boils down to is wins an losses. The Sixers are dangerous now. However, with a PG who can attack the rim and hit from the perimeter, they will be unstoppable with Westbrook at the helm. How can a player be called selfish when two of his former mates either won the MVP or was in the running till the end?
Imagine what Embiid could do with Westbrook operating from the top of the key with his ability to hit the three compared to Simmons who refuses to take one. What that does is allows defenses to collapse in the paint. This is why Brett Brown catches so much heat in terms of his offensive schemes. With Simmons refusal to shoot, it creates a logjam in the paint which in turn forces Embiid to step out to the top of the three-point line and hoist up shots he has no business taking.
With Harris back, he could turn into the new Paul George for Westbrook. Plus you add in the addition of Al Horford and the Sixers easily become one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA. While fans and analysts are busy burying Westbrook for his selfish play, they also must remember he's never had the amount of talent he would have in Philly.
The Sixers are a team right on the cusp of winning a title. Ben Simmons is a major reason for that but he's not the piece that's going to get them there. While Sixers' fans may refuse to accept that, the fact remains, he doesn't have that killer instinct that's needed to win.
The same used to be said about LeBron James until he got with Dwyane Wade and Chis Bosh. Once he had that motivation, all bets were off. Simmons refusal to either take over games or unwillingness to shoot will always disrupt the teams' offense.
Westbrook is plenty of things but one thing he is not–a roadblock. He wants to win and will do whatever it takes to do so. But with no real talent surrounding him, he's at it alone. Give him the proper weapons and his numbers, his numbers will drop but the wins will increase.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, that's what should matter most.
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