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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Philadelphia 76ers Kyle Kuzma
May 25, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) against the Phoenix Suns during game two of the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers

While the Los Angeles Lakers would very much like to acquire Ben Simmons, and Simmons would very much like to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, any sort of trade packaged centered around Kyle Kuzma should be viewed as a non-starter for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Currently set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it’s been heavily rumored that the Lakers are going to look to sign-and-trade Kuzma in an attempt to land that ever elusive “third star” to pair alongside the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Kuzma averaged 15+ points per game during his LA career, but never really developed into that All-Star caliber scorer that the Lakers (and LeBron James) were looking for.

Simmons, a Klutch Sports client, has long been linked to Los Angeles as a potential playing destination, and his relationship with LeBron is on the stronger side. While the media and the NBA audience may be down on Simmons following his poor postseason performance, LeBron is likely still going to push the Lakers to try and trade for him.

Rich Paul has ways of getting his clients to where he wants them, but this is a scenario where Daryl Morey has to flex his own NBA power, and simply ignore any Kyle Kuzma centered packages. Going from Simmons to Kuzma would be a noticeable downgrade.