The Golden State Warriors acquired D'Angelo Russell and signed the point guard to a $117 million contract, giving a four-year tenure in the Bat Area. This indicates that as far as the Dubs are concerned, Russell is a prized asset, and the club might just use that win the signature of a targeted player - Ben Simmons.
A swap deal involving the two All-Star is no problem, and the scenario playing out in the coming days was floated by Marcus Thompson of The Athletic. Thompson figured that Russell on the trading block would merit the due attention of hunting teams, and shipping out the former Nets would at least allow the Warriors a player they fancy for.
"One of the interesting possibilities I've heard being kicked around is Russell for Philadelphia's Ben Simmons. The 76ers could use a point guard who can score and run the show - and shoot," Thompson was reported by Clutch Points as saying.
But why would Philadelphia give up on a star player like Simmons? That's because his presence so far has yet to deliver the magic dreamed up by the Sixers when Simmons was offered a five-year $170 million extension.
"Some believe the pairing of Simmons and big man Joel Embiid isn't viable in their pursuit of a championship," the report said.
On the other hand, it seemed Golden State is convinced that now is the perfect time to make use of the 2019 summer acquisition, who, by the way, arrived in the Bay Area following the exit of Kevin Durant as the best player that the team could grab is readily available.
"Simmons, as one source told me, is probably the best player the Warriors could possibly get for Russell, just considering the needs of the Warriors and their potential trade partners," Thompson further claimed.
The Sixers, for their part, have all the reasons to agree on a trade. Having Russell on their roster is nothing short of a win. He can surely make things happen on the floor and should quickly work well with Embiid and Tobias Harris.
And the best part for Philadelphia is in losing Simmons, known to struggle in the shooting department; the will get to benefit from Russell's excellent shooting. Clearly, there is more to gain for the Sixers than to lose on this trade deal.
CBS Sports said that while the trade is doable despite the fact that "Simmons is pretty universally regarded as a better player than Russell," it seems more realistic for a deal to be completed in the summer than In February.
There will be questions on money that will complicate the deal, but it will be more manageable in the offseason dealing, and more so if the Warriors would be willing to package a first-round pick on their bid to bring Simmons over, the report added.
