Bowdystuda wrote:sidsid wrote:Bowdystuda wrote:After last night, I am pretty sure we are still in the Ben Simmons sweepstakes. Here's my reason why:
1- If we are trading for Simmons, and Pascal is somehow not involved (which I dont think with each passing day) then our best trade assets moving forward for this year are Fred VanVleet and Chris Boucher. Maybe Flynn and Dragic but thier stock has dropped a ton with no minutes.
2- They Played the hell out Fred and Boucher last night. Fred getting those minutes, is normal but not Boucher recently. Fred shot 22 shots. Only the 2nd time over 20 this season. They wanted Fred to look good. Same with Boucher and He actually delivered a very solid game. Trying to show Philly what they can bring.
3- Could have played Pascal, even in limited minutes but kept him out with Embiid out as well, so if we beat Philly up, they could say ur at full health and we are missing our best player. With Siakam out, that was no longer an excuse.
4- It seemed Doc was trying to counter us making Fred look good and raising his stock in Phillys eyes by him feeding Maxey all night and making him look good, so Philly can say that they are not in a dire need of a PG, if Maxey plays solid. Which he did. Last night he had a career game.
5- Although Ben would come with character issues, there are VERY similar parallels to Kawhi. Both wanted out of thier organizations due to how health issues were treated and how they were treated unfairly when they spoke out about it. Although, a couple other issues as well but Both of thier stocks had gone down because of it, and it scared off other teams into giving a premium for them. Raps took a risk on Kawhi coming into one of the best organizations and changing his tune. He did and we have a chip for it. I think the Raps think they can do the same thing with Simmons except we wont have to worry about Ben leaving the next year as he has 4 years on his contract.
6- Simmons does fit what we are trying to do. Tall, long wingspan, guys who can play great d and be able to switch on d to almost any player. That is the way they are building the team. Anything else they dont have as skills, Toronto has the best development staff in the league. If they cant get the best out of Simmons, who can? Simmons fits all of that we are trying to do.
7- Scottie Barnes!!! Scottie has to be one of the most lovable players in the NBA. A legit culture changer in terms of the way he plays (not a me first guy) and his personality. He would make Ben feel like the star he is. He would bring his confidence up. Get him shots maybe he wouldn't get playing with Embiid. Put him in position to succeed. I guarantee it. Plus, how can you not be happy being around that guy all of the time.
8- Nick Nurse and the way he wants to play d.The defence we would be setting up could legit crush the league. Imagine being an opposing star player and you are either getting guarded by Simmons, OG or Barnes? Or being guarded by Ben, then you switch and it OG or Barnes defending you? Good luck with that. Simmons is defensive player runner up last year. We all know OG should have been in that convo as well to a degree. Barnes can guard 1 through 4 at least and will only get better. Siakam can guard as well and Trent Jr has blossomed this year somehow. Dude is all over the place getting deflections and steals.
If Ben continues to sit out, and we get past the date where recently signed players can be traded, I have a weird feeling, it we US who ends up with Ben Simmons.
To Toronto: Ben Simmons
To Philly: Fred Van Vleet, Chris Boucher, Svi Mykhailiuk, 2024 1st round pick (Top 3 protected) and 2023 2nd round pick.
It is not the haul Morey was expecting, but I think it will be the best he can do before the deadline, especially if Ben continues to sit, which he is. No one is giving him the STAR he wants, and Fred is the next best thing.
PG- Ben Simmons/ Dalano Banton
SG- Gary Trent Jr/Malachi Flynn
SF- Scottie Barnes/Yuta Watanabe/Issac Bongo
PF- OG Anunoby/Precious Achiuwa
C- Pascal Siakam/Khem Birch
On our end, I don't think the Philly game had anything to do with showcasing. Fred has played tons of minutes all year and we're still trying to work in Boucher.
The bigger problem is that I'm more convinced than ever that Morey is going to dig in and wait for a shot at Lillard. That includes pushing this to the offseason. Morey hasn't blinked in this game of chicken and he still has most of the leverage.
I dont think he has the most leverage. I will admit, he hasn't blinked and I give him credit, but I honestly dont think there are a lot of big fish out there. I think there is about the same chance that Portland tries to ADD to Lillard before trading Lillard. If Philly keeps playing good, which they are, they are going to want to take a shot a the chip, and that means getting the best offer you can for him. If Philly drops in the standings, which I dont expect, they will keep him to next year. I just dont see it happening though. I think Fred will be one of the biggest fish out there, if we are indeed looking to move him. He also would fit in like a glove in Philly.
Yeah, the leverage isn't endless. This situation isn't tenable passed this offseason.
Embiid isn't going to tolerate not having a guy to play with for ANOTHER year of his young career. Morey is crossing his fingers that something gives by draft time with Lillard. After that, it's poopoo platter time.
