Ben Simmons trade rumor: Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and 28 other stars could be on the 76ers wish list

We have some more news on the Ben Simmons front.

It’s now a month after the “Ben Simmons saga”, The athlete’s Sam Amick provided some updates on where things are between the 76ers and the three-time All-Star.

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit in Amick’s report is that there are “about 30 players” that will satisfy 76ers in a trade for Simmons, adding that a “reasonable number” of them could be available on a sometime in the next two days. many years.

Three special people that Amick was on the Philadelphia list: Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and James Harden.

That begs the question: who could the remaining 27 players be?

THAN: Build the perfect team around Simmons

What we do know about the 76ers is that they are looking for a star in exchange for Simmons. Also, we can assume they are more interested in buying a wing than a big one because they are currently being built around one of the best hubs in the league in Joel Embiid. That means no Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic or Rudy Gobert. We can also omit the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle and Zion Williamson from the list.

Which of the players ticked those two boxes? In no particular order…

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7 days free trial)

30 possible trade targets on Philadelphia’s list for Ben Simmons

Super duper stars

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

2. Stephen Curry, Warriors

3. Kevin Durant, Nets

4. LeBron James, Lakers

5. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers

6. Luka Doncic, Mavericks

Otherwise known as the players that every team around the league wants to have on their roster. Problem? They are almost certainly untouchable. This is a quick hang up.

First Runners

7. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers

8. Bradley Beal, Sorcerer

9. James Harden, Nets

Three players look to be at the top of Philadelphia’s list. TBD on whether they were ever offered.

Veteran stars

10. Chris Paul, Suns

11. Anthony Davis, Lakers

12. Jimmy Butler, Heat

13. Kyle Lowry, Heat

14. Khris Middleton, Bucks

15. Kyrie Irving, Nets

16. Paul George, Clippers

17. DeMar DeRozan, Bulls

The All-Stars have been in the league several times for more than a decade.

They may not be quite as off-limits as the first group, but it’s still hard to imagine any of these players being traded any time soon.

One name that stands out, of course, is Irving, who remains away from the Nets until he adheres to local health and safety protocols. As The Sporting News ‘Jordan Greer detailed, Irving would be an ideal fit next to Embiid in terms of attack, but there are a number of reasons why the Irving-Simmons swap wouldn’t work.

Top of them? Irving could become an unrestricted free agent after this season and there is no guarantee he will stay with Philly for long.

Young stars

18. Donovan Mitchell, Jazz music

19. Devin Booker, Suns

20. Trae Young, Hawks

21. Brandon Ingram, Pelicans

22. Jayson Tatum, Celtics

23. Jaylen Brown, Celtics

24. Zach LaVine, Bulls

The next generation, each of them won at least one All-Star pick.

Again, it’s hard to see many of these players traded early, but The Athletic’s Shams Charania recent report that the Celtics have “expressed an interest” in Simmons and that any potential Simmons sale would “must have” Jaylen Brown.

Talks between the 76ers and the Celtics are said to be “fluent and without traction”.

For what it’s worth, Brown and LaVine were included some potential commercial packages for Simmons, I spoke to some of our staff before the start of the season. Representing both the Celtics and the Bulls, TSN’s Kyle Irving brought them both down decisively.

Next up

25. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

26. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

27. LaMelo Ball, Hornet

28. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves

Four players have not yet formed an All-Star team but have All-Star potential. Maybe their team will have to spend a lot of time thinking about trading them.

Wildcard characters

29. Jamal Murray, Nuggets

30. De’Aaron Fox, Kings

Murray did not earn the All-Star selection and continued to be sidelined as he recovered from a tear in his left ACL, but he proved himself to be the big winner in the knockout stages.

As for Fox, he also didn’t earn an All-Star pick and got off to a slow start this season, but he’s one of the league’s better young point defenders. Fox alone won’t get the deal done, but the Kings have several other players they could include in a deal that could interest the 76ers.