If Dame wants out, I've been in favor of getting Simmons in return, just because nobody else is offering a legit star. But the more I look at Simmons, the less I like everything except his skillz. The thing about Dame is that he's an amazing person - thoughtful and with a genuine leader's gravitas. Simmons just seems prickly, defensive (maybe that explains his talents) and in general, a lot more like LaMarcus than Dame. Only with added James Harden Kardashian tendencies. Who would be the team leader if we swapped Dame for Simmons? CJ?
So maybe we should say to Philly: look: you have to trade Simmons. You're salivating for Dame. Okay, so work out a deal that gets us back what WE want and we'll sign on.
What we want includes:
A young star prospect like Jalen Suggs or maybe Jonathan Kuminga
Matisse Thybulle
AT LEAST two picks that have a strong likelihood of being lottery picks
...?
Maybe Golden State would do that deal that Philly asked for if they dropped one or two of the extra picks. So Philly sends Simmons to GState and gets Wiggins, Wiseman, Kuminga and Moody.
Okay, give us Kuminga, Moody, Thybulle, and flip Wiggins and Wiseman for something we like more and we'll talk.