By Mark Angelo Mañez

PHOTO: Heavy.com

As we approach past midway into the 2021-22 NBA Season (and the much-awaited All-Star break), teams start scrambling for trade transactions and securing possible top-tier draft picks for the next season. Not to mention signing free agents and those at the front office, lest we don't forget teams also want to widen their salary caps in order to sign potential stars for their teams.

But wait up, rumors are circulating about the Philadelphia 76ers trading off Ben Simmons to another team, either within the Eastern Conference or he's bound to fly off West. 

Unless these are confirmed and finalized by the league, we all don't know whether these would advance, be modified, or, on the low side of things, be denied.

At present, Philly's sitting at third with their decent 31-20 (.608) record. But with glaring inconsistencies, especially in the playmaking aspect, this will put tons of pressure on their main man Joel Embiid.

For this hot-as-lava rock topic, we'll evaluate different trade rumors involving Ben Simmons using a Trade Simulator and grade whether these get the nod, or ditched straight to the garbage bin. Most of these may not happen for real, so let's not take it too seriously. It will depend on the management's tactics on how to deal with these big-time trades.

PUBLIC DISCLAIMER:

All trades mentioned below are done with the help of FanSpo.com. These trade scenarios have the possibility of not happening, depending on the teams' management decision.


DETROIT PISTONS (12-39, .235, 14th-East)


Sixers receive: Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk, future 1st round pick
Pistons receive: Ben Simmons
Personal analysis:
Well, sending someone like Simmons into the Great Lakes can be quite helpful for the team, currently sitting at 14th in the East with an 11-33 record. And with him, already in the starting lineup, they may end up having 3 additional wins next season. We all dunno what's going to happen next, but, let's keep an eye on the next scenarios to come.
Result: Trade Successful
Actual Verdict: REJECTED


SACRAMENTO KINGS (19-35, .352, 13th-West)



Sixers receive: Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton, two 1st round picks
Kings receive: Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle
Personal analysis:
The Kings are unable to complete this trade. Since they are now a taxpaying team after this, they are only able to take back 125% of the salary they are sending out, plus $100,000. They can only take back $59.3M in salary based on the amount they are sending out. Cut $9.6M from the Kings incoming trade value to make this trade successful for the Kings.
Result: Trade Failed (Financial Clause)
Actual Verdict: REJECTED


GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (40-13, .755, 2nd-West)


Sixers receive: Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, two future 1st round picks 
Warriors receive: Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Andre Drummond
Personal analysis:
Seems like a fair trade to everybody. Although they may lose some of their so-called 'small ball' pieces, this may somewhat jack up the ceiling for Golden State. While Simmons will provide stiff defense albeit reduced point production (Splash Bros. is still there and provide the scoring barrage). Drummond and Harris can also become veritable offense-defense cogs for coach Steve Kerr.
Result: Trade Successful 
Actual Verdict: PENDING FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS




BROOKLYN NETS (29-22, .569, 6th-East)


Sixers receive: James Harden
Nets receive: Ben Simmons
Personal analysis:
The Sixers are unable to complete this trade. Since they are a taxpaying team, they are only able to take back 125% of the salary they are sending out, plus $100,000. They can only take back $41.3M in salary based on the amount they are sending out. Cut $2.9M from the Sixers incoming trade value to make this trade successful for the 76ers.
Result: Trade Failed (Financial Clause) 
Actual Verdict: PENDING FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS




LOS ANGELES LAKERS (25-28, .472, 9th-West)



Sixers receive: Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis
Lakers receive: Ben Simmons
Personal analysis:
The 76ers are unable to complete this trade. Since they are a taxpaying team, they are only able to take back 125% of the salary they are sending out, plus $100,000. They can only take back $41.3M in salary based on the amount they are sending out. Cut $2.8M from the 76ers' incoming trade value to make this trade successful for the 76ers. Instead, the Sixers will have to add another player on the trading block, and remove Davis. In that way, it will be on the balanced side.
Result: Trade Failed (Financial Clause) 
Actual Verdict: PENDING FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS


PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (21-31, .404, 10th-West)


Sixers receive: Damian Lillard, Ben McLemore
Blazers receive: Ben Simmons, Furkan Korkmaz, Paul Reed, two future 1st round picks
Personal analysis:
This will definitely turn up the heat for Philly. Lillard is known as a deep-distance shooter. He can shoot anywhere from inside the timeline. He also has that blinding foot speed that will leave defenders tied up on their feet. Having Embiid and Lillard can be a huge pain in everybody's matchups. And these two might as well form a deadly inside-outside duo. Teams will scamper in looking for solutions on how to nullify them.
Result: Trade Successful 
Actual Verdict: PENDING FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS

Well, time's already up, and that buzzer's ringing like wild…

See ya next time, Laners!