The trade deadline is coming up, and one of the biggest names on the trade block is Philadelphia 76ers star, Ben Simmons. There have been a lot of teams that were linked with a move for him in various reports.
One of those teams that were reported as being interested in Ben Simmons is the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks are currently out of the play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, and there's no question that they need to make a move to be more competitive. In this article, we present a trade that would send Ben Simmons to Atlanta and help the Hawks make the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams, 2022 first-round pick (ATL), 2024 first-round pick (ATL)
The Atlanta Hawks Get Trae Young A Co-Star
Trae Young is one of the best players in the league, and there is no doubt that he is producing at an All-NBA level. However, the Atlanta Hawks simply don't have enough star power to compete, and this trade would rectify that.
Ben Simmons when playing is one of the best defenders and playmakers in the league. On the Atlanta Hawks, he'd be able to help Trae Young lessen his ballhandling and playmaking duties, and allow Young to get some easy off-ball baskets. Ben Simmons would also help cover some holes for the team defensively. Trae Young isn't the best defender, and perhaps Ben Simmons would help make up for his lack of ability in that area.
The Atlanta Hawks would also acquire Tobias Harris, who is known around the league for being on a bad contract relative to his ability. However, that doesn't mean Tobias Harris is a bad basketball player: he is currently averaging 18.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 3.8 APG, and there's no doubt that he can contribute to the Hawks' playoff push.
While the Atlanta Hawks would have to take on Tobias Harris' contract in this deal, they would be getting a 3-time All-Star in return who matches up with Trae Young's timeline. It doesn't get much better than that, and this move would pay huge dividends for the Hawks.
Philadelphia 76ers Get A Good Haul For Ben Simmons
The Philadelphia 76ers wouldn't be getting a top-tier player for Ben Simmons in this scenario, but from a value standpoint, this trade would be amazing.
The centerpiece of this trade package for the Philadelphia 76ers would obviously be John Collins. Collins has been solid enough for the Atlanta Hawks this season, averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc. Collins was reportedly "frustrated" with his role on the Hawks, and perhaps the 76ers would allow him to get more offensive touches.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari are both solid shooters who could fit nicely in bench roles. Lou Williams could also provide some ballhandling and scoring from the bench, but he would likely be a depth option. The two first-round picks the 76ers would receive would be the required draft compensation to get this deal over the top.
With this trade, the Philadelphia 76ers would get a good trade return for Ben Simmons, while getting out of paying Tobias Harris' contract. This would be a fantastic trade scenario for them, and definitely something they should consider if the option is there.
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