6 NBA teams that should trade for Ben Simmons: 'Need a new star'

Things haven't looked great for Ben Simmons since the Philadelphia 76ers flamed out of last season’s NBA playoffs.

Simmons has now reportedly informed the team he wants out and will not report to training camp in the coming weeks, even if it costs him a $1.3m fine.

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It seems to be in everyone’s best interest for Simmons to be dealt - so which teams could stand to benefit by acquiring the former number one overall draft pick?

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland, despite changing coaches this offseason, appear to be treading water.

There are rumours Damian Lillard is unhappy with the team's lack of progress and it seems a Lillard/CJ McCollum backcourt might not have what it takes to win a ring.

In Simmons, who would likely be dealt for McCollum, Dame gets a backcourt partner who defends at an elite level and also brings high-level passing.

Norman Powell, Robert Covington and Lillard can shoot, and even Jusuf Nurkić can step up out a little bit to allow Simmons to work in the space he needs.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Simmons is a good friend of both Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, although I expect Russell would move to Philadelphia if a trade was to happen.

Adding Simmons to Towns and Anthony Edwards would give the Wolves a legitimate playoff core and an upgrade on Russell, especially defensively.

To me, this one makes the most sense. Minnesota has been poor for a long time and this is the sort of bold move a team like this needs to take.

Sacramento Kings

Like Minnesota, Sacramento has been terrible for a long time.

They had a laughably bad defence last season and Simmons provides an instant upgrade there.

A trade probably costs Sacramento Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, but Simmons and De’Aaron Fox is a solid pair to build with.

The Kings could benefit from adding more shooters in this deal as both Fox and Simmons have obvious shooting issues, but getting a talent upgrade is key for a team as moribund as Sacramento.

Washington Wizards

I think Daryl Morey, Sixers GM, would be targeting Washington first when trying to deal Simmons.

That’s because Bradley Beal’s name is consistently brought up in trades.

While Beal is a superior scorer and shooter, what he gives back defensively can be tough to stomach.

Adding Simmons next to Spencer Dinwiddie, while not worrying about whether Beal decides to re-sign after this season (he has a player option on his deal) could be an attractive proposition for the Wizards.

Simmons is also three years younger than Beal and has a higher ceiling.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs need a new star. Since Tim Duncan retired and Kawhi Leonard requested a trade, the Spurs have struggled at the top end of the playoff mix.

Now, they are starting again, letting DeMar DeRozan go to Chicago this past offseason. Simmons could be the guy to kickstart the new era of Spurs’ basketball.

It would likely mean moving on from Dejounte Murray or Derrick White, along with picks, but if San Antonio could do it, it would make sense. But will Philly go for it?

Indiana Pacers

Indiana is a solid team, but do they really have NBA Finals upside? Not really.

Players like TJ Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, or even Caris LeVert could be included in a Simmons deal and getting an elite defender and passer to elevate the team could push them back to the top end of the Eastern Conference standings.

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