Detroit Pistons: A sensible Ben Simmons NBA trade proposal

It looks like Ben Simmons has worn out his welcome in Philadelphia. There must be a spot for a three-time All-Star, and the second highest vote-getter for Defensive Player of the Year in Detroit. Here is how to make it happen without ruining the team.

Right now the mood in Philadelphia is so negative toward Ben Simmons, this would be an acceptable trade to the populace:

Ben Simmons for: Bag of basketballs

However, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will probably be a little more level-headed about this. He is not going to just trade Simmons for a bag of basketballs. Morey would need to get something of substance for Simmons.

Losing Simmons means the loss of their best defensive player, passer and top initiator on the fast break.

But it would be tough to bring the 24-year-old Simmons back to Philly, with their kind and understanding fans, after doing this is Game 7 against Atlanta:

What Simmons can do on the basketball court, he is exceptional at. What he is bad at, he is historically awful.

Pistons general manager Troy Weaver has always talked about being aggressive. Getting Ben Simmons in a Pistons uniform would certainly do that.

How Ben Simmons could end up with Detroit Pistons.

Simmons is tall (6-10), lengthy and plays great defense, exactly the type of player Weaver usually likes. Of course, most teams also like a guard who can do more on offense besides make layups and dunks, which are the only type of shots Simmons usually attempts.

Of course, the Pistons starting point guard this past season, rookie Killian Hayes, is not exactly an offensive powerhouse either. Hayes averaged 6.8 points while shooting just 35.3% from the field. Unlike Simmons, he was a good foul shooter (82.4%) so at least he could play at the end of games.

After a three-month absence due to injury, the 6-foot-5 Hayes showed potential at the end of the season. If the 76ers are trading away their point guard, they are going to want a replacement who could blossom into a top-tier player.

Hayes will only be 20-years-old at the start of next season. He and fellow rookie Tyrese Maxey could be a backcourt of the future for the Sixers.

Since the 76ers are in ‘win now’ mode, Detroit has a solid veteran point guard in Cory Joseph they can send along as well. Throw in for salary-matching purposes Rodney McGruder, a solid combo guard.

Another Sixers weakness is the backup center position, important since Joel Embiid usually misses 20-25 games a season due to injuries. Mason Plumlee could definitely be an improvement over fun but mistake-prone Dwight Howard.

The only line in the sand for Detroit should be Jerami Grant. The Pistons fans would not go for that, and neither should Detroit. If picking up an offensive dud in Simmons, can not lose your top offensive player.

To close the deal, the Pistons can ship their 2022 first round pick (Houston gets it if 17th or lower, but we assume that won’t happen). The 76ers can use that as trade bait with another team (like they did with Miami’s No. 1 to get Tobias Harris).

This deal matches salaries (Simmons makes $30 million next year):

If Detroit gets Simmons, there is really no need for Detroit to keep Hayes anyhow. Isaiah Stewart can replace Plumlee at center quite easily. No offense to Joseph and McGruder, but over-30 veteran guards are not hard to come by.

There really is little downside to this deal on the Pistons side. If the 76ers truly need to get rid of Simmons, this is probably a good a deal as they will get.

The Pistons are just starting their ‘retooling’, to have a three-time All-Star playing for them will quicken their drive for contention.

Yes, when Detroit makes the Eastern Conference semifinals, Simmons might be a drag. But that will be a good future problem to have.