Ben Simmons for De’Aaron Fox Trade Swap? (11/19/21)

Over the summer, the Sixers and Kings had trade discussions that involved Ben Simmons. In return, the Sixers wanted either De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton, but the Kings were unwilling to part ways with either one of those players.

Fast forward to November, and the Kings are currently 6–10 and 12th in the Western Conference. It looks as though Sacramento will not only make changes to their coaching staff but to their roster as well.

If the Kings have any shot at breaking their 15-year long playoff drought, then the front office will have to make a drastic move to achieve that goal.

Now is the perfect time for them to capitalize on a trade for Ben Simmons. He still has not played a single game for the Sixers, and, likely, he will never again wear a Sixers uniform.

Simmons on the Kings will give the team a better shot at a playoff berth. While Fox is better offensively, Simmons can do everything just as good if not better than Fox.

Sacramento is currently 26th in points allowed per game, and they are 22nd in defensive rating. Adding Simmons, who is arguably the best and most versatile player in the league, will give the Kings that much-needed defense that they have been so desperate for.

While both players are good at dishing out the ball to their teammates, Simmons is a slightly better playmaker than Fox. Simmons has averaged 7.7 assists throughout his career, while Fox has averaged 6.3 assists.

Simmons’ offensive liabilities shouldn’t hinder the Kings offense, as they have a craft offensive guard in Tyrese Haliburton and two elite shooters in Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes.

On the Sixers side of things, Fox will be a perfect complementary piece for Joel Embiid. What Embiid needs is a point guard who excels in the pick-and-roll, and Fox is exactly that, as he averages over ten pick-and-roll possessions per game, which is 5th most in the league.

Fox’s shooting percentages are subpar, but he still manages to score points, as over the last two seasons, including this season, he has averaged 20 points or more.

Fox is an above-average playmaker, he has averaged 6.3 assists over his career, so the Sixers really won’t be losing any of that playmaking ability that they had with Simmons.

The Sixers have two of the best defenders in the league in Embiid and Matisse Thybulle, so Fox’s below-average defense won’t become a glaring weakness.

Philadelphia’s front office wants someone that gives the team a chance to win now, and while superstar players in Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal will certainly give them that opportunity, it can’t hurt for them to look elsewhere if those two haven’t already become available. Fox is an established point guard who will give the organization a chance to win now.

This trade swap makes plenty of sense for both the Sixers and Kings and now is the perfect time to execute it.