The Cavaliers, who have been mentioned throughout the summer as a possible Ben Simmons suitor, continue to have interest in landing the Sixers star, writes Marc Stein of Substack.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com mentioned Cleveland’s pursuit of the three time All-Star today as well, adding that the Cavs could enter the fray as a third team in a Simmons trade in order to acquire either Simmons or a different asset, like they did in the James Harden trade to acquire Jarrett Allen (Taurean Prince was also acquired by the Cavs in the Harden deal, and was recently traded to the Timberwolves for Ricky Rubio).
There’s more from Cleveland:
- The Cavaliers continue to be in a tough spot with Kevin Love, Fedor notes. Love played just 25 games last season and his impact on the court has diminished over the course of his contract, which still has two years and $60MM remaining. Such a hefty sum will make it difficult to trade Love without attaching assets, which doesn’t interest the Cavs unless they feel the situation becomes untenable. Fedor adds that the previously rumored buyout talks went nowhere, which means the team and player are stuck with each other — for now.
- Evan Mobley is the presumed starting power forward for the Cavs, with $100MM man Allen slotting in at center, Fedor opines, which would make newly-acquired Lauri Markkanen the team’s de facto sixth man. How coach J.B. Bickerstaff manages the frontcourt situation is worth monitoring for a number of reasons, particularly because Markkanen was disappointed about coming off the bench for the Bulls last season, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. According to Fedor, the Cavs have talked about having Mobley, Allen, and Markkanen each playing about 26-30 minutes per night.
- The Cavs continue to look for wing depth and shooting, Fedor notes, which is crucial to the team’s offensive development. The Cavs were one of the worst shooting teams in the league last season, ranking 25th in FG%, 26th in FT%, 29th in 3PT made, 28th 3PT attempts, and 30th in 3PT%. Sources tell Fedor that Denzel Valentine is interested in Cleveland and that Garrison Mathews could be another possible target.
- Dylan Windler, who underwent surgery in April on his left knee, isn’t a lock to be ready for the start of training camp, says Fedor.
Jarett Allen is way over rated.
I disagree, he is rated properly, but he needs a guy like markannen playing power forward for him since he’s old school play type, I think Mobley markannen Allen is actually a nice 3 man rotation of bigs, they just have no shooting off the wing and sexton is a black hole when he gets the ball
Sexton is pretty efficient with the ball. .475/.371/.815 with 4.4 apg is pretty good for a shooting guard. Only problem with Sexton is he’s only 6’1″ 190. He needs more of a Clarkson or Lou Williams type role.
Agreed, Allen is rated properly. His PER is always in the higher part of the league these past couple years.
Regarding Sexton, a “black hole” is kinda harsh phrasing, butttt….no totally inaccurate. He will get the ball on wing and instead of taking a good three point shot, he’ll play triple threat and usually end up driving and shooting mid-range. He is extremely efficient at it, but it brings the offense to a halt. If he can learn to take quick 3’s and drive and kick more efficiently, he can still play a great role as a 6’1 SG, especially if he has Okoro, Mobley, Allen guarding the basket behind him.
Trade Sexton for him.
Sexton isn’t enough for Ben and honestly I don’t think he is that great.
The last thing the 76ers need is a playmaking guard that can score from all 3 levels.
He’d be perfect as a second option behind Embiid actually.
Lol, everyone from Philly knows this sucks…everyone else…oh yeah that’s a good deal.
Sexton and Love is more than enough for Simmons.
Allen and Rubio for Simmons
76ers will reject
Allen and Sexton
76ers will reject
If Sixers wanted to get back at Simmons Cavs would be the place to ship him to. Where he watches the playoffs every year.
Valentine? Yet another GarPax failure begging at Cleveland’s doorstep? Sheesh.
Love, Sexton, Okoro, 3 future #1 picks.
hard pass. if a guard were to be traded for Simmons it makes more sense to trade Garland instead of Sexton. But no too to giving up three 1st round picks unless they are lottery protected
Why can’t we get Redick? He’d be perfect. If Windler could stay healthy that’d be a boost.
Sexton, Osman, Love, unprotected 1st for Simmons.
Lol, no one…repeat…no one is trading for Love..that is easily the worst contract in the NBA by quite some margin
Lol, Love…repeat Love would have to be included in a Simmons trade to make the salaries work…
Honestly not a bad trade for the 76ers. The 76ers get a guard that will be confident enough to take a shot when it matters. They’d get the pick as incentive for taking Love’s contract and could flip the pick for a productive wing that could take on tough defensive assignments. Not sure what Cleveland would gain with Simmons as they have enough bigs… Guess they could use him as no3 and D wing with playmaking chops kinda like an overpriced tall Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Once again incorrect, add in Rubio (not that I would) and sexton and Osman and it works…but let’s be real neither Cleveland or Philly want Cleveland’s garbage
Philly won’t get a better deal for Ben than just Love and Sexton.
The longer they wait, the less they will end up getting for him.
We would be better off just benching Ben for 4 years than to take Love.
So 6ers make another Love. Groovy.
Let’s see if Simmons can still end up with W’s. It’s not just about Morey demanding too much or Simmons not a good fit with Green. It’s power struggles between Rich Paul and both teams. The top agents and players try to dictate how to run the teams and so on….
Simmons to CLE for Kevin Love and the rights to Ejike Ugboaja and Edin Bavcic. Oh, and a candy bar, Philly gets to pick which kind.