Following a disappointing sweep in front of the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers could be in for a total makeup this offseason. They were seen as favorites this season but they played like an average team for most of the year and the debacle finished a couple of days ago, when the Celtics beat them in the first round for the second time in three years.
Changes started to take place in Philly, with Brett Brown leaving the team after seven years as the head coach. People expect more changes now, including a possible trade of one of their two stars, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The name of Joel has been linked with several teams in the past few days, including the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets. Moreover, an anonymous Western Conference coach has stated he would be a great fit for the Miami Heat.
“If I were a new coach, I’d like to coach them together for a year first before trading either, but if I had to pick, I’d trade Embiid,” one Western Conference coach told HoopsHype. “I think Simmons is more versatile. I’d just surround him with shooters and open the floor up like Milwaukee for Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. There can be more creativity with Simmons on the offensive end. I would try to trade Embiid to Miami and get some of their young, hungry shooters and guards like Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, etc. Ideally, I’d get Bam [Adebayo], but I doubt Miami would trade him. I am a big believer in Simmons’ motor and defensive versatility. He reminds me a lot of a young Jason Kidd. He’s got incredible open court speed and is an elite passer, but is an average ball-handler in tight spaces and a poor shooter. He has elite defensive hands with incredible defensive instincts and strength.”
The Heat already have Bam Adebayo as his starting center, but it will be hard for them to skip the chance to land Joel Embiid. They have a very good team and count with good young pieces to exchange, but it all will depend on the intentions of the team and whether or not the Sixers decide to ship Embiid somewhere else.
Elton Brand: "I'm not looking to trade Ben or Joel. I'm looking to complement them better."
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) August 25, 2020
Elton Brand has stated he has no plans of trading Embiid or Simmons, but if he changes his mind in the offseason, the Heat is a great team to negotiate with.
