Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: 5 potential trade candidates to avoid this offseason

By David Esser

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots during pre game warm ups during Game Seven of the Western Conference first round series against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on June 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots during pre game warm ups during Game Seven of the Western Conference first round series against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on June 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Coming off one of the more disappointing postseason exits in franchise history, Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be rather busy this offseason. Changes will undoubtedly be made, with Ben Simmons functioning as the team’s biggest trade chip.

While there are plenty of fans out there who are ready to ship Simmons out for literally anyone, not every hypothetical trade results in an upgrade for Philly. In fact, there’s a good number of rumored trade candidates who would represent a notable downgrade for the Sixers when compared to Simmons.

5 players that the Philadelphia 76ers should avoid in Ben Simmons trade talks this offseason:

Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks

A player who the Philadelphia 76ers actually had a chance to select back in 2015, Philly should once again stay away from the Latvian born forward.

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After three very impressive seasons in New York, Kristaps Porzingis was traded to Dallas in an attempt to build an elite partnership between himself and perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic. Porzingis hasn’t really looked the same in Dallas compared to his New York days, and Dallas is reportedly already exploring moving the 7+ footer.

While the Mavericks would likely jump at the opportunity to swap out Kristaps for Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers should have zero interest in such an arrangement. Porzingis appears to be regressing due to a long list of nagging injury issues (including a torn ACL that he suffered in 2018), and the spacing alongside Joel Embiid would be ugly.

We’ve seen what happens when you try to pair a “shooting big man” alongside Embiid (Al Horford) – it just doesn’t work.