Why Trading Ben Simmons for Kawhi Leonard and Signaling LeBron James Might Not Be Worthwhile
Many basketball fans have speculated about the Philadelphia 76ers trading Ben Simmons for Kawhi Leonard and then acquiring LeBron James, hoping to form a supercharged lineup. However, this strategy is fraught with challenges, particularly when it comes to cap management and team dynamics. Letrsquo;s dive into why this swap might not be as advantageous as it seems.
Integrating LeBron James and Ben Simmons: Beyond Similarities
It is often superficial to conclude that LeBron James and Ben Simmons canrsquo;t share the same position because of their similar skill sets and tendencies to hold the ball. Great players find a way to adapt and make it work, as seen with Chris Paul and James Harden, who didnrsquo;t have significantly different skill sets yet led the Houston Rockets to a league-leading offense.
Point 1: The Success of Harden and Paul
When Chris Paul and James Harden joined the Houston Rockets, many experts thought it wouldnrsquo;t work due to their overlapping skill sets. However, they succeeded and led the team to an elite offensive record, demonstrating that great players can find a way to complement each other. Similarly, LeBron James and Ben Simmons, with their point-forward attributes, can also find a way to coexist effectively.
Point 2: Expanding Simmons' Role Off the Ball
Ben Simmons' current role primarily involves ball handling and playmaking. However, his game needs to evolve to include off-ball contributions, such as cutting and posting up. Simply waiting for the ball to come to him is a mediocre strategy. Boston Celtics used Simmons' tendencies to their advantage, highlighting the need for Simmons to assume more responsibility without the ball in his hands.
Philadelphia's Success with T.J. McConnell
Philadelphia's best performances often occurred when Simmons and T.J. McConnell were on the court together. McConnell, another point guard with limited perimeter shooting, provided a different type of playmaking and ball distribution. This shows that Simmons can function well with another ball handler who hasnrsquo;t mastered the three-point shot.
The Reality of Cap Management: Signing LeBron James
Acquiring both Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James poses significant financial challenges for the Philadelphia 76ers. Let's break down the necessary transactions.
Current Financial Situation
The 76ers have over $70 million allocated in salary for 2018-19, with a projected cap ceiling of $101 million. They also have $40 million in free agent cap holds, with $27 million for ????? ?? J. J. Redick and $13 million for Amir Johnson. These players will likely be renounced to free up cap space. Even so, re-signing Redick and these other players is unlikely to be possible without impacting future cap flexibility.
The Cap Space Challenge
Renouncing Redick and the other mentioned players would only free up approximately $30.5 million in cap space. A max contract for LeBron James will command around $35 million, which means the 76ers are $4.5 million short after acquiring Leonard.
The Proposed Transaction
One potential solution is to trade for Leonard and simultaneously offload Ben Simmons. However, there are complexities:
Sales of Simmons, Bayless, and Anderson would be required to account for the salary mismatch beyond the initial $16 million. Given the size of the 76ers' cap, this would likely necessitate trading star players and a significant draft pick.
The 76ers would need to offer their upcoming first-round pick (26th overall) to San Antonio, reducing their cap space further.
The draft pick would consume additional cap space beyond the initial $3 million, complicating the ability to sign LeBron James.
Conclusion
The proposed trade of Ben Simmons for Kawhi Leonard and the pursuit of LeBron James would require an extensive series of transactions, including the renunciation of key players and the sacrifice of valuable draft picks. While the acquisition of technically talented players like Leonard and James is enticing, the financial and strategic challenges may outweigh the benefits. As such, the current 76ers team, with some strategic adjustments, might be a more viable option to build around Simmons and LeBron James.
In conclusion, while the idea of these three superstars playing together is exciting, the practical logistics and financial constraints make it challenging for the 76ers to realistically orchestrate such a move. It is more sensible to continue nurturing the potential of Simmons and LeBron James within the existing roster.