Can the Detroit Pistons get Ben Simmons? There is a way
Killian Hayes, say hello to your new friend Joel
No longer will Pistons fans get to debate whether Killian Hayes can play with Cade Cunningham. Now it will be can Cunningham and Simmons co-exist. (One shoots and passes, the other passes … and passes some more)
If Simmons is in Detroit, there is no reason to keep Hayes. They do basically the same things, except Simmons does them better, except shooting free throws.
Related Story. Detroit Pistons: What Josh Jackson and Ben Simmons have in common. light
The 76ers get a young, promising point guard in Hayes, a shooter from the Thunder in Jerome and an athletic wing who can help make up for Simmons’ absence on defense in Jackson.
Is it equal value for losing Simmons? Well, unless Damian Lillard demands to be traded from Portland, this is about as good as the Sixers are going to get. It is either this or a very, uncomfortable training camp.
The 76ers hold the cards but if they want to make a real championship run, having the Simmons problem hanging over their heads all year will not help. The move also helps Hayes, as he no longer is under the pressure of being the No. 7 pick and the guy Detroit passed up Tyrese Haliburton for. Now, he is just a ballhandler brought in to help make up for Simmons’ loss.
The trade might not go through now, might not go down for a while. But, as September 28 date of training camp opening get closer and closer, if the Lillard way out is closed, the Sixers will have to do something with Simmons.
Next. Detroit Pistons: A sensible Ben Simmons NBA trade proposal. dark
Why not Detroit?