Opinion: The 76ers Should Have Dealt Ben Simmons For This Player

I think the Philadelphia 76ers made a mistake.

No one knows how the Ben Simmons situation is going to end, and they could have traded him for a player on the Indiana Pacers that could have helped them win an NBA Championship this season.

One of the latest updates on Simmons can be seen a tweet that is embedded below from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Sources: Ben Simmons spoke to Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid and entire 76ers team today and accepted everyone needs to take responsibility, including himself — but Simmons informed them all that he’s not mentally ready to play yet and needs time.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2021

Over the summer, Jason Dumas of Bleacher Report (see tweets below), reported that the Pacers offered the 76ers Malcolm Brogdon and a first-round pick for Simmons and he said the 76ers declined.

76ers reportedly rejected a trade of Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon and first-rounder for Ben Simmons, per @JDumasReports pic.twitter.com/TcUMr9fGjv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 2, 2021

The Sixers have already fielded offers for Ben Simmons but continue to hold a stance that they will only trade him for an all-star caliber player. They most recently turned down a deal with the Pacers that included Malcolm Brogdon and a 1st round pick.
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) July 2, 2021

Unfortunately, Brogdon can no longer be traded this season.

That's right.

The Pacers gave him a contract extension for two-years, $45 million, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (see tweet below) and according to ESPN's Bobby Marks (see tweet below) that means that Brogdon cannot be traded this season.

Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to an additional two-year, $45 million extension – guaranteeing him $89.3 million over the next four years, his agent Austin Brown of CAA Sports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2021

Because the contract is for a total of four seasons (the current contract and extension), Brogdon is not allowed to be traded this season. https://t.co/8LF6GoFIUP
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2021

Is Brogdon a better player than Simmons?

Of course he isn't.

However, the 76ers have not had Simmons play in any games this season, and the entire situation appears to be a distraction and at the very best cannot be good for team chemistry.

"At this point I don't care about that man, honestly. He does whatever he wants."

–Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/XELROkUphX
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 19, 2021

Last season, Brogdon averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game, and he also grabbed 5.3 rebounds and dished out 5.9 assists per game.

He also shot 38.8% from the three-point range.

One of the biggest reasons why Simmons and All-Star Joel Embiid struggle at times is that Simmons cannot shoot very well.

Brogdon averaged over 21 points per game last season and is a knock-down three-point shooter.

Sounds like a match made in heaven.

Unfortunately, it can no longer happen this season.