In the latest episode of the HoopsHype Podcast, Michael Scotto said he’s heard the Pelicans discussed a deal with the Sixers that would’ve seen New Orleans give up a series of first-round picks and swaps in exchange for Ben Simmons. The 76ers have been seeking an All-Star caliber player in any Simmons deal, but Scotto says Brandon Ingram wasn’t included in those discussions.
The Pelicans do have an excess of first-rounders as a result of their Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday trades. However, I imagine Philadelphia would want to turn those picks into players who could make an immediate impact, rather than simply loading up for the future. So perhaps a third team would be necessary in order for the Pelicans and Sixers to make real progress.
Scotto and his guest, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, talked about a handful of other trade rumors from around the NBA during the podcast. Here are some of the highlights:
- Following up on his report about the Lakers internally discussing the possibility of trading Russell Westbrook, Fischer says the team’s only outgoing call in which Westbrook’s name may have come up was to the Sixers about Simmons. “The conversation pretty much was, ‘We’re interested in Ben. How would we get there?'” Fischer explained. “The obvious solution is Russell Westbrook. He’s not a player on that Sixers list that they have.”
- Fischer also said he received some push-back from Brooklyn about his report that the Nets may be open to moving sharpshooter Joe Harris. “Perhaps, teams who had early conversations with Brooklyn about Joe and they didn’t categorically shut them down, maybe that’s all this was,” Fischer said.
- Addressing Shams Charania’s recent report that the Magic want a first-round pick for Terrence Ross, Scotto says some executives have talked about being open to giving up two second-rounders for the veteran swingman. However, Scotto’s not sure that would “move the needle” for Orlando. As I noted on Monday, Ross is under contract through 2022/23, so there’s no urgency for the Magic to move him.
- Fischer has heard that before the Nuggets agreed to send R.J. Hampton the Magic as part of the Aaron Gordon trade in March, they were trying to include Bol Bol in Hampton’s place.
but Scotto says Brandon Ingram wasn’t included in those discussions.
But of course not….The Sixers could have drafter Ingram instead
There is absolutely no chance any team is giving up a first rounder for Terrence Ross or it would’ve happened at the trade deadline last season when they cleaned house, what a stupid ask they got Daryl morey as a gm?
Nets would be crazy to trade Harris.
Why?? They have significant backcourt depth. Patty Mills has been awesome, Cam Thomas has emerged, Kessler Edwards looks impressive. Joe isn’t even that good, and his contract is hefty. If I could move him for another piece that would help that plays a different position, I would.
Because he is a great three point shooter, in his own tier, and they need that with this roster.
Fischer back pedaling his previous reports is funny.
Teams shop guys then the player gets upset and the team says they weren’t going to trade them.
Sabonis and Lamb to 76ers
Pelicans send picks and salary to Pacers
Pelicans get Simmons
Lakers are not going to make upgrade trade
Nobody wants those Lakers
can’t happen because money would be needed to go back to Pacers. Pacers would also want at the very least 3 first round picks.
Sabonis and Embiid is a really awkward fit.
Agreed it would be and awkward fit they do a lot of the exact same things. Given Sabonis do them as well as Embiid or play Defense but their skillets are similar.
@Tacocat1331….that’s the beauty of grabbing Sabonis the similarities. Embid takes too many games off to heal and they lose far too many games when he’s out.
If the Pelicans were smart, they’d trade Ingram and get back more than just Ben. Ingram is significantly overrated. He’s a minus on defense, and a black hole, ball stopper on offense. His offensive game isn’t elite enough to make up for his lack of defense and ball stopping tendencies.
I’d offload Ingram, Devonte Graham, Garrett Temple/Satoransky/any other vets on that roster. Valanciunas as well. I’d also listen on Zion and wouldn’t hesitate to move him for any significant offer. This franchise needs a total reset. They have pieces that other organizations would be interested in. Moving them would help move the Pelicans towards the total rebuild that they need. They need to be playing younger players such as Trey Murphy, not washed vets like Tomas Satoransky.
Pelicans are a dumpster fire of an organization, and they need to stop applying bandaid solutions. Pick a direction, and go with it
Agree, GM Griffin should make Ingram available. I did not know he was weak on defense but that is quite plausible. He has always been kind of a solo guy who did not seem to mesh with ZWill. Incidently he could go too, given his weight risk, or any Pelican, to get Simmons. Sixers have good parts, and Griffin’s job is likely not secure… except the boss is a woman who may not care that much and will hang with Griffin like Jody Allen with Olshey.
I’ve heard Simmons Milton and picks for Ingram and sataransky matches up. Not enough for NO?
Admittedly Ingram isn’t good on defense yet. Yet being the keyword. He has the quickness, length , athletic ability and most important work ethic to get better on that end. Because he started his career at such a young age people tend to forget he’s only 24 years old and for the most part he’s gotten significantly better every year. I’d take Ingram any day over Simmons.
I was with you until you said Zion. Absolutely no way do they trade him at this point. They have to sell tickets. I’m not sure he will every be truly healthy, but he’s a top tier talent when he is. They might as well move the team to wherever the hell if they trade him.
I wouldn’t buy season tickets because of ZWill— he may not be in the lineup for the games!
It should have worked better in NOLA but it did not. Realistically it probably is too early to trade away ZW/BI/NAW/JHayes… too early to give up… but I like watch ing the “newer” new guys like Herb Jones, Naji, Kira Lewis.
This is still the Zion era but it will likely drag out without getting anywhere in the playoffs. It’s a matter of when to cut ties with the current stars. Already it looks like Griffin guessed wrong with Jrue, Lonzo, Randle & Wood the ones going.
I fall in love with Lakers 2027 unprotected pick
LeBron does not like that pick
Lakers are doomed from 2024 to 2029
Can we just stop all these Westbrook trade ideas. Its not happening. His contract makes him untradeable. Nobody taking on all that money unless they get some good players and picks thrown in.
Lamb (10m) Levert (18m) Warren (12m) (total: 40m) for Westbrook (44m) + a future first and a couple seconds (add a LAL min contract if needed for roster spot purposes)
Why LAL does it: you turn Russ into two wings who might be starters for you and possibly a third (Warren) if he ever gets back on a court
Why IND does it: They have medicals on Warren and think he’s done. Lamb and Levert aren’t in theing term plans. Take a swing on Russ (what do they have to lose) and stash a few picks in the process.
NYK could put together a similar package although they won’t.
Overall agree tho – pickings for Russ get slimmer each year
Not happening. Warren is only making $12 million and you are giving up Levert for Westbrook when Levert can put up the same scoring. Face it nobody wants Westbrook $44 million deal.
You’re doing LA a favor by eating that salary this year and next. Brodie is making $47 mil next year. Indy is better off selling those peices separately. Plus no one has salary room. You could buyout some of those guys ore get medical insurance/ exception if they’re so called “done”. You take on Brodie’s enormous contract, good effin luck.
You’re doing it for the picks not the production, which I outlined above.
Also, I think you’re missing a greater point here: If you’re a team trying to tank/blow it up (as Indiana is rumored to be), is there a better tanking strategy today then “Let’s give it to Russell Westbrook and let him work”?
No way! This defeats the whole purpose of the original Westbrook trade. Didn’t the Lakers just trade a whole bunch of role players for him?
#FreeBenSimmons
Why Free him? He signed a max extension as he is being a big baby. Wahhh I make 34 million and people said things about me.
It’s El Don Always Wrong. Not much sense in this post, or ever.
Why? He may be overrated and underpaid but he’s just eating up cap space and a roster spot for the 76ers. Trade him for a decent sub star and some picks and turn those picks into a good role player. They’re just wasting his and Embiid’s prime by holding on to him.
Yes Tacocat !! ..you want to trade him and the Sixers probably had to wait till the December 15th players were available. Good idea. But “free Ben Simmons?” (El Don) Trade him for a package of less than he’s worth? Set him free just to be done with him? Absolutely not. Horrendous take.
But how much is heart worth? Does him being considered a coddled baby by most discount his value? If so by how much? Enough to equate to another team giving up a star?
25 games in and LA wants to offload Westbrook. Who is evaluating talent for that team? Fire that guy.
LeBron. And they can’t fire him.
I doubt it was LJ-driven… there is no proof and LJ was not known to be a fan of RW. The official noises made by the Lakers was that RW was seen as a star backup, not exactly a ringing endorsement, like what LJ/Rich Paul went through to get ADavis, and how LJ celebrated that.
If you think the Lakers front office would ever do something LBJ/Klutch doesn’t want, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
Approval of a plan is not driving a plan. LJ’s deal with Magic J is over, and so is a surplus of resources. Would LJ want this if Pelinki was not turning the wheels?
I give logical reasons and get bridge phrases.
At the time, both were on offer: RW(WAS) vs Buddy Hield, Bagley and either less going out or more in(SAC). Lakers pivoted quickly to RW after stalling on Hield. It would have to be known that RW was not controllable by LJ… why would LJ jump to that?— he likes to influence and RW does what his body tells him to, not what someone tells him to do.
That was Pelinka’s style, going for a third star… LJ knows that is a hassle… he has been around a long time & does not get influenced by fans.
Thing is as usual Westbrook is turning it on and turning it up as of late. I’ve never liked Russ but the dude always plays with a chip on his shoulder.
People love talking smack, but when it comes down to it nobody is going to want to play the Lakers in the playoffs if they’re healthy.
This NOP trade is a copy paste of almost every Simmons’ proposal going on months now … the ever elusive third team being the constant.
Problem for Philly is they’re required all star has to be someone who can PG-SG-SF so scratch off Sabonis, scratch Towns.
It’s tough enough to snag one via trade as is but when 40% of the positions is off limits (and time is of the essence) it’s preeeeetty tough.
Ingram might fit the bill but I understand why NOP would balk. No reason to think a Simmons Zion pairing would be anymore successful than the one they have now.
Agreed…Zion and Ben would be dividing up the space within 10 ft of the basket which won’t work.
“Orlando wants a First Round pick for Ross”. Good luck getting it.
Hey he was arguable the magic’s best player last year! But agreed, most teams wouldn’t want to give up a first-rounder for him. I could see him agreeing to a buyout and then signing with the Nets or Lakers though.
Griffin has turned over the entire roster, and then turned a good part of that roster over a second time. If nothing good has come of his moves to date, then the odds of anything good coming of his next moves are very low. Ownership can’t just let him run amok in a desperate attempt to save his job. If they don’t want to fire him yet, then they need to put significant future assets out of his reach for now.
Lol, yes !!
I’m no fan of Simmons as he is a talented yet limited flawed player but the 76ers management could not have screwed this up any worse. Not only did they not get maximum value for him last year but they have totally torpedoed this season and their future.