I almost feel bad for Ben Simmons. 8 boards and 13 assists, but only 4 shots and 5 pts in 36 min in a Game 7 at home - and they can't even play him down the stretch in a tight game. 19 pts across the last 3 games, including 7-20 from the line.
Simmons is owed $147 million over the next 4 years; can't shoot/won't shoot; and now looks like a choker and playoff anchor. Course, with his playmaking, defensive skills, and youth, there'll be a trade market for him - but not what it was as recently as this past offseason.
Just for giggles, the principals: Fox, Barnes and Hield for Simmons, Harris, and Curry
Sixers' starters: 1-Fox, 2-Hield, 3-Thybulle, 4-Barnes, 5-Embiid
Kings' starters: 1-Ty, 2-Curry, 3-Simmons, 4-Harris, 5-Holmes
Sixers get the best player in the deal (Fox) and 3 very good floor-spacers to replace the ones they lose in Harris and Curry. Fox and Embiid together? My goodness.
Kings get better defensively and on the boards, get tougher, but still have three 3-pt shooters in the starting lineup. Even if they lose Holmes, someone like Noel or Hernangomez could work well enough paired with Damian Jones. Myles Turner would be great in that lineup.