If CJ were to be traded, who are we most likely to get?

[BonesJones]

I'd rather have Simmons. Then I'd trade Nurk for a stretch big and move on to winning. Simmons, Norm, RoCo and any 3 and D big with Dame is a monstrous D and has amazing potential on O.

What 3-&-D big will you be able to trade Nurkic for? Likely none that we have the assets for. He doesn't have much value across the league.

We don't need a 7apg point forward. Give me a guy who can play off Dame and Nurk and then if either of our bags have the ball, then can make the right play.

Siakam is close to Simmons defensively. Dude is a terrific defender, can playmake as well, but can actually hit an outside shot and stepped up in the biggest moment of his career instead of shrinking.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

What 3-&-D big will you be able to trade Nurkic for? Likely none that we have the assets for. He doesn't have much value across the league.

We don't need a 7apg point forward. Give me a guy who can play off Dame and Nurk and then if either of our bags have the ball, then can make the right play.

Siakam is close to Simmons defensively. Dude is a terrific defender, can playmake as well, but can actually hit an outside shot and stepped up in the biggest moment of his career instead of shrinking.

The Nurkic for Boucher/Baynes pipe dream is the best one out there. With Powell already here, plus this idea of sending CJ out for Siakam, it's starting to feel like we're trying to trade for the entire raptors rotation.

 

[Ripcity4life77]

Wanted to add one more thing -- If Ben Simmons could turn into a Scottie Pippen type player who could have a solid Mid game and passable 3 pt shooter ( 25 to 30 % ) and such it would be worth taking a gamble on Simmons BUT that is a ton of what if's and such. I personally think Ben Simmons is the perfect Robin to Dame again IF he can change his game but i will concede it would be a gamble but at this point a gamble might be the only play.

 

[Haakzilla]

What 3-&-D big will you be able to trade Nurkic for? Likely none that we have the assets for. He doesn't have much value across the league.

We don't need a 7apg point forward. Give me a guy who can play off Dame and Nurk and then if either of our bags have the ball, then can make the right play.

Siakam is close to Simmons defensively. Dude is a terrific defender, can playmake as well, but can actually hit an outside shot and stepped up in the biggest moment of his career instead of shrinking.

...isn't Siakam out until at least January 2022? Seems like that puts even more pressure on the team in the meantime.

 

[BonesJones]

The Nurkic for Boucher/Baynes pipe dream is the best one out there. With Powell already here, plus this idea of sending CJ out for Siakam, it's starting to feel like we're trying to trade for the entire raptors rotation.

Baynes? Baynes was horrid last year.

 

[BonesJones]

...isn't Siakam out until at least January 2022? Seems like that puts even more pressure on the team in the meantime.

December-January. With Dame, Powell, Nurk, and Roco, I think we'd be fine.

 

[blazerkor]

Baynes? Baynes was horrid last year.

I actually think we can play Boucher in a starting lineup with Simmons and RoCo. He is the 3 and D big I'm interested. I don't even necessarily want Baynes, I'd rather them send over one of their two second rounders and eat the rest of Nurk's salary.

 

[BonesJones]

I actually think we can play Boucher in a starting lineup with Simmons and RoCo. He is the 3 and D big I'm interested. I don't even necessarily want Baynes, I'd rather them send over one of their two second rounders and eat the rest of Nurk's salary.

We're not getting Boucher for Nurkic and a 2nd, we'd likely have to give up assets despite Nurkic having just as much talent as Boucher and potentially being a guy who could blossom under Billups. That's why I'd rather keep Nurkic and get a guy who fits with him and Dame better (Siakam) instead of irant1976's guy.

 

[blazerkor]

We're not getting Boucher for Nurkic and a 2nd, we'd likely have to give up assets despite Nurkic having just as much talent as Boucher and potentially being a guy who could blossom under Billups. That's why I'd rather keep Nurkic and get a guy who fits with him and Dame better (Siakam) instead of irant1976's guy.

Simmons is the guy a lot of people want because he's such an amazing defender and distributor. I don't know why you think that Siakam fits so well with Nurk that we should take him and don't think the Raptors would take the flip side of that coin for a guy they barely started last season.

I like Dame, Norm, RoCo, Simmons, Boucher better than Dame, Norm, RoCo, Siakam and Nurk but don't get me wrong for even a second... if we ended up with Siakam for CJ and picks I'd be happy, unless it was in a three team deal that showed that we could get Simmons without the picks. Anyway we'd be lucky to have Siakam and a re-signed Norm instead of CJ and you're right if we did make that happen there wouldn't need to be a move made with Nurk to make the starting lineup work.

 

[BonesJones]

Simmons is the guy a lot of people want because he's such an amazing defender and distributor. I don't know what you think that Siakam fits so well with Nurk that we should take him and don't think the Raptors would take the flip side of that coin for a guy they barely started last season.

I like Dame, Norm, RoCo, Simmons, Boucher better than Dame, Norm, RoCo, Siakam and Nurk but don't get me wrong for even a second... if we ended up with Siakam for CJ and picks I'd be happy, unless it was in a three team deal that showed that we could get Simmons without the picks. Anyway we'd be lucky to have Siakam and a re-signed Norm instead of CJ and you're right if we did make that happen there wouldn't need to be a move made with Nurk to make the starting lineup work.

Toronto could get more back a package for Boucher that they'd value more: if they trade him they'll be looking for young players and picks, not Nurkic.

 

[blazerkor]

Toronto could get more back a package for Boucher that they'd value more: if they trade him they'll be looking for young players and picks, not Nurkic.

I agree, if they're going the youth rebuild rout but if they are just resetting around Siakam and VanVleet then Nurkic might be the guy that they do value.

 

[Idog1976]

You've already RANTED about this while randomly ALTERNATING lower and UPPER CASE. I want Siakam MORE than SIMMONS. You WANT Simmons. We've ALREADY had THIS discussion, quit TRYING to REHASH it.

Wouldn't that be you rehashing it since I was responding to you...bringing it up again?

 

[Idog1976]

We're not getting Boucher for Nurkic and a 2nd, we'd likely have to give up assets despite Nurkic having just as much talent as Boucher and potentially being a guy who could blossom under Billups. That's why I'd rather keep Nurkic and get a guy who fits with him and Dame better (Siakam) instead of irant1976's guy.

Simmons is the guy a lot of people want because he's such an amazing defender and distributor. I don't know why you think that Siakam fits so well with Nurk that we should take him and don't think the Raptors would take the flip side of that coin for a guy they barely started last season.

I like Dame, Norm, RoCo, Simmons, Boucher better than Dame, Norm, RoCo, Siakam and Nurk but don't get me wrong for even a second... if we ended up with Siakam for CJ and picks I'd be happy, unless it was in a three team deal that showed that we could get Simmons without the picks. Anyway we'd be lucky to have Siakam and a re-signed Norm instead of CJ and you're right if we did make that happen there wouldn't need to be a move made with Nurk to make the starting lineup work.

No idea why he thinks Siakam is a good fit next to Nurk, but Simmons isn't. Also, Simmons fit next to Nurk is irrelevant, it's his fit next to Dame.

 

[BonesJones]

No idea why he thinks Siakam is a good fit next to Nurk, but Simmons isn't. Also, Simmons fit next to Nurk is irrelevant, it's his fit next to Dame.

Because one can shoot and one can't hit the broadside of a barn. Obviously.

 

[BonesJones]

Wouldn't that be you rehashing it since I was responding to you...bringing it up again?

Was I talking to you though? Nope. Am I able to say I want Siakam without you ranting at me? For fucks sake.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I like Siakam quite a bit. But as pointed out CJ is not a need for Toronto. While Philly does have a need for CJ.
Trades are tough enough.....3 ways are even harder to coordinate and make everyone happy.

I do like Simmons as well though for entirely different reasons. You just need to make sure he is on the floor with at least 3 shooters.

 

[Idog1976]

I like Siakam quite a bit. But as pointed out CJ is not a need for Toronto. While Philly does have a need for CJ.
Trades are tough enough.....3 ways are even harder to coordinate and make everyone happy.

I do like Simmons as well though for entirely different reasons. You just need to make sure he is on the floor with at least 3 shooters.

I like Siakam as well, I just like Simmons quite a bit better. Precisely because he will be on the floor with 3+ excellent shooters at all times especially if we can move Nurk for a stretch 4 or 5 or a 3 and D SF and play Simmons as a modern NBA point center. I would be ecstatic with either Siakam or Simmons. It's a personal preference thing. I just greatly prefer top-shelf perimeter defenders. I also really like versatility and Simmons is one of, if not the most versatile player in the League. That's a really valuable trait because with inevitable injuries you can play Simmons at any position 1-5 without concerns. I also think Simmons is A) Available and B) would be much, much cheaper. That matters quite a lot as our cupboard wouldn't be bare.

 

[damianlillard]

If Nurk is staying then Siakam make a lot of sense. He’s so much better as a shooter, we can’t even called Simmons a shooter lol. I like Simmons more but if Nurk staying then I rather have Siakam. I thought maybe CJ to Philly, Simmons to raptors, and Siakam to blazers as a gist of the deal. I think that trade would be a win for every team. Now a Dame, Powell, RoCo, Siakam, and Nurk lineup should defensively improve a ton. And you add Billups as our coach now. Our defense should be solid. And our offense with better ball movement under Billups should still be a top 10, even top 5 offense. One thing for sure is that we can’t have the warriors getting Siakam or Simmons

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Terry Pluto in Cleveland is hearing the price for Simmons is really high. Maybe worth the gamble for Cleveland, especially as they could get rid of Love, but not for Portland.

TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE SIMMONS
1. One NBA person told me: “Who do the Cavs have that compares with Simmons? I’ll tell you – no one. The Cavs are a terrible defensive team, this guy defends, rebounds and passes. He can be a game-changer for the Cavs.”
2. Simmons leaving Philadelphia and all the pressure could be what he needs. Cleveland has been awful since LeBron James left (2018). Simmons can give the fans something to watch.
3. If they can dump Love’s contract in this deal and not have to figure out the Sexton contract extension, it’s worth it to take on the Simmons contract – and a first rounder in 2022.
4. Simmons is still young. He’ll play the 2021-22 season at age of 25. Why can’t he improve his shooting? He doesn’t have to great from the line – just not awful.
5. One executive told me Cavs should even be willing to part with the No. 3 pick this season if that closed the deal for Simmons. Maybe they can also secure a first-round pick from the Sixers by expanding the deal.
6. Another executive told me this: “I’d take him and play him at center. You can run a lot of offense through him. You need to be creative. He rebounds, passes, defends and is unselfish. He needs the right coaching staff and front office to rebuild his confidence. He can be an elite talent.”
7. The Cavs have to do something. That’s what I heard from NBA people. Adding Simmons could give fans a better product to watch right away.


BEING REALISTIC
1. Every NBA person I talked to said Sixers GM Daryl Morey wants someone such as Damion Lillard in a Simmons deal. The Love/Sexton/draft pick package would have little appeal to him.
2. But Morey knows he has to move Simmons. He tried to trade Simmons for James Harden, who eventually went to Brooklyn. Morey loves shooters and 3-point shots. Simmons is a bad fit.
3. Good teams may not want to part with much for Simmons because of his maximum contract and the shooting miseries. He makes more sense for teams such as Cleveland who need a boost and can absorb the contract.
4. I can’t make up my mind on this. Last week, a reader emailed with a similar trade proposal. I quickly shot it down. But maybe ESPN is right about the Cavs at this point in the rebuild. Now, I’m leaning in that direction.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here is Pluto's anti- argument:
NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR THE CAVS
1. I used to think Simmons had the strangest game of an NBA All-Star – maybe ever. He is a point guard who is nearly 7-foot and can’t shoot. He doesn’t want to play anything but point guard, at least so far.

2. I want the ball in the hands of Darius Garland, who is growing into a star. He is a modern point guard, the kind who creates shots for others but also can score. He has a chance to become a superb 3-point shooter.

3. Why not play Simmons at power forward? He has refused to consider that change. He wants to be a point guard. I had two NBA executives tell me the Cavs would have a hard time with Jarrett Allen and Simmons (both non-shooters) on the court at the same time.

4. Here are some numbers: $33 million, $35 million, $38 million and $40 million. Those are the salaries for Simmons over the next four years. He also receives an immediate 15 percent raise for the rest of the contract if traded. That means the $146 million goes up to about $168 million.

5. “How can you have a guy on a maximum contract and you have to sit him the fourth quarter of a close game because he can’t make a free throw?” one executive asked.

6. Another executive talked about Simmons having a “mental/confidence problem, and that can be good or bad. It’s hard to know if the guy can get over that.”

 

[wizenheimer]

4. Here are some numbers: $33 million, $35 million, $38 million and $40 million. Those are the salaries for Simmons over the next four years. He also receives an immediate 15 percent raise for the rest of the contract if traded. That means the $146 million goes up to about $168 million.

I did not know Simmons had a trade kicker

now, as I understand it, the actual kicker is paid by Philly. However, that bonus is tacked onto the new team's cap. He's owed a tich over 140M, so a 15% kicker would total 21M. That would be apportioned equally to the remaining years of his contract; 5.25M a year. Meaning, his charge to Portland's cap would be:

36.85M
39.6M
41.9M
44.2M

I was already uncomfortable with paying such an obviously flawed but talented player his stated salaries over the next 4 years. But jacking those numbers up 15% puts Simmons off the board for me. That's way too much money for a player who can't shoot, IMO

 

[BonesJones]

Terry Pluto in Cleveland is hearing the price for Simmons is really high. Maybe worth the gamble for Cleveland, especially as they could get rid of Love, but not for Portland.

TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE SIMMONS
1. One NBA person told me: “Who do the Cavs have that compares with Simmons? I’ll tell you – no one. The Cavs are a terrible defensive team, this guy defends, rebounds and passes. He can be a game-changer for the Cavs.”
2. Simmons leaving Philadelphia and all the pressure could be what he needs. Cleveland has been awful since LeBron James left (2018). Simmons can give the fans something to watch.
3. If they can dump Love’s contract in this deal and not have to figure out the Sexton contract extension, it’s worth it to take on the Simmons contract – and a first rounder in 2022.
4. Simmons is still young. He’ll play the 2021-22 season at age of 25. Why can’t he improve his shooting? He doesn’t have to great from the line – just not awful.
5. One executive told me Cavs should even be willing to part with the No. 3 pick this season if that closed the deal for Simmons. Maybe they can also secure a first-round pick from the Sixers by expanding the deal.
6. Another executive told me this: “I’d take him and play him at center. You can run a lot of offense through him. You need to be creative. He rebounds, passes, defends and is unselfish. He needs the right coaching staff and front office to rebuild his confidence. He can be an elite talent.”
7. The Cavs have to do something. That’s what I heard from NBA people. Adding Simmons could give fans a better product to watch right away.


BEING REALISTIC
1. Every NBA person I talked to said Sixers GM Daryl Morey wants someone such as Damion Lillard in a Simmons deal. The Love/Sexton/draft pick package would have little appeal to him.
2. But Morey knows he has to move Simmons. He tried to trade Simmons for James Harden, who eventually went to Brooklyn. Morey loves shooters and 3-point shots. Simmons is a bad fit.
3. Good teams may not want to part with much for Simmons because of his maximum contract and the shooting miseries. He makes more sense for teams such as Cleveland who need a boost and can absorb the contract.
4. I can’t make up my mind on this. Last week, a reader emailed with a similar trade proposal. I quickly shot it down. But maybe ESPN is right about the Cavs at this point in the rebuild. Now, I’m leaning in that direction.

Thats horrible. Jalen Green will be better than him and will be much younger and much cheaper for the next 4 years.

 

[damianlillard]

Thats horrible. Jalen Green will be better than him and will be much younger and much cheaper for the next 4 years.

Agreed. I think Jalen Green will reach at least Zach Lavine type level. Green has the tool and the potential to be a generational type scorer.

 

[Strenuus]

Simmons doesn't do anything for me. Why is he so coveted if he's so bad at shooting? Defense? To move Dame off the ball more? Dame will be doubled even more anyway so...

 

[tykendo]

Simmons doesn't do anything for me. Why is he so coveted if he's so bad at shooting? Defense? To move Dame off the ball more? Dame will be doubled even more anyway so...

Potentially you are correct. I mean, Atlanta didn't give 2 shits about him on the floor, and he made bad play after bad play in the clutch. He's afraid to engage. If Neil makes that trade, it has to be because Simmons makes a commitment to GET BETTER on the offensive end. The thing i don't like, is he seem's so indifferent to stuff on the court. Like he's already made it. He's far from a complete player. Is he commited, or will he continue to be a pouter.

 

[tykendo]

Jeremy Grant is the player that intrigues me. He really broke out in Detroit.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Jeremy Grant is the player that intrigues me. He really broke out in Detroit.

Why is Detroit making that trade?

 

[riverman]

Why is Detroit making that trade?

because we want them too damnit!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Why is Detroit making that trade?

He's 27, and they're like 5 years away.

 

[Mediocre Man]

He's 27, and they're like 5 years away.

Right?