Report: This Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks trade is centred around Julius Randle and Ben Simmons. Should the Knicks consider what the 76ers have to offer?
In a recent article written by JB Baruelo of the Inquisitr, he referenced a proposed trade that featured Kemba Walker, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson for Ben Simmons. With both organizations having their fair share of issues this season, a change for both rosters could be an answer for improvement.
According to an article by Corey Rausch of Fansided Hoop Habit, the proposed trade for Ben Simmons could improve the needs and overall systems that Knicks and 76ers have. The Knicks attain a player who perfectly fits coach Tom Thibodeau's coaching style as he focuses significantly on defence. Considering that Simmons was in defensive player of the year conversations a season prior, he would most likely flourish in New York as he would be around players who can shoot the basketball while being the face of the franchise. However, the 76ers easily win this exchange as they swap an All-Star for an All-Star while obtaining two great role players in Kemba Walker and Mitchell Robinson.
Despite Thibodeau recently announcing that Walker will no longer be a part of the Knicks rotation, he was an All-Starter two seasons ago while still having a lot left in the tank. For years, the 76ers have been searching for an All-Star calibre point guard, and while Walker is no longer considered an All-Star point guard, he would fill a lot of holes that the 76ers have at the guard position.
Tyrese Maxey would still be the full-time starting point guard, while Kemba would be the best player on the 76ers bench. Walker would have a similar role to his current teammate, Derrick Rose. He would be a player that would average roughly 25 minutes a game while being a primary option and potentially the third-best player on the 76ers behind Randle and Embiid. While some may have doubts about Walker's ability in the NBA today, the addition of Randle and Robinson makes up for what they may lose in Walker's playing ability.
The idea of Randle and Embiid in the front-court is one to be excited about as the 76ers could potentially form the most versatile starting five in the NBA today. By completing this trade, the 76ers starting lineup would feature Tyrese Maxey, Seth Curry, Tobias Harris, Julius Randle, and Joel Embiid. While defence at the guard position would be compromised, the offensive potential of the Knicks would be unstoppable. Every player on the 76ers would be able to shoot the basketball with confidence, something that they lacked from Simmons for years. The 76ers would also have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA as players such as Kemba Walker, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle and Mitchell Robinson are some of the names that would have a crucial role in the 76ers rotation. With Robinson joining the 76ers, Philadelphia would most likely trade away Andre Drummond, who has played solid for the 76ers while proving that he still has a role to play in the NBA today.
Why the Knicks shouldn't make this trade.
The 76ers would benefit a lot from this trade if it were to happen. The potential of this team would skyrocket and would most likely steamroll through the Eastern Conference and maybe win a championship. The Knicks would elevate the 76ers to heights they have always dreamed of seeing, making this trade terrible for New York. Since their rise to relevancy, the Knicks have aspirations to also win in the Eastern Conference. They will never improve if they trade Randle, who has been their best player and reason for the Knicks' relevancy.
Randle is not a superstar in the NBA, but he is a building piece that a team can build around. From his ability to stretch the floor to his athletic and defensive ability, the Knicks have a versatile player that needs another All-Star to make real noise in the Eastern Conference. Instead of trading Randle for Simmons, a smarter choice for the Knicks would be to trade some of their younger players and large contracts for borderline to All-Star calibre players. In addition, the Knicks should be strategic in who they choose by paying attention to players that need a new beginning or are no longer as wanted as they once were. For example, CJ McCollum is a player with All-Star potential while playing with an organization ready to move on from what they currently have.
Closing Thoughts
The 76ers should try their hardest to push for the mock-trade written by Corey Rausch of Fansided Hoop Habit. The idea of Randle joining the 76ers would be incredible as they would catapult to becoming the best team in the Eastern Conference. However, this trade will not happen as it is a very unbalanced exchange. The Knicks lose too much in this trade, and that's why it'll never happen. While all three of the Knicks players featured in this trade are currently struggling, they have a role in the NBA and are all valuable assets for any team to have. There is too much loss for the Knicks by doing a three-for-one deal, especially when factoring in who they are getting in return.
Simmons is an All-Star calibre player who can one day become a top ten player in the NBA. However, due to his lack of a jump-shot and Simmons not playing basketball since the 2020-21 playoffs, the Knicks would have to wait for his transition to playing NBA basketball before he can even impact the Knicks. If Simmons were currently playing basketball, this exchange would have a lot less of a risk. Simmons may never return to the player he once was, as his mental health took a massive hit since he requested a trade out of Philadelphia. Throughout NBA history, there have been many instances where mental health was the main contributor to a player's downfall in the NBA. With the 76ers poor management in handling one of their current players, they may have ruined a player filled with nothing but potential.