The 76ers have seemingly overplayed their hand with Ben Simmons. Simmons now is trying to force his way out, other teams balked at the Sixers asking price, and no All-Star has demanded a trade. The Kings want Simmons, but don’t want to trade budding star De’Aaron Fox or rookie prize Tyrese Halliburton. The Kings have the shooting the Sixers desperately need in Buddy Hield/Harrison Barnes, along with picks and intriguing young pieces like Davion Mitchell and Marvin Bagley; these however, don’t seem to meet the Sixers asking price, or the star they need to justify trading Simmons. So how does a trade happen here?

Enter Jerami Grant and the Pistons. Jerami was an All Star candidate last year who raised his profile further by winning Olympic Gold. He can guard all five positions on court and score from anywhere (22.3 ppg). The Pistons rightfully haven’t made him available and value Grant choosing them. But they might trade him for Davion Mitchell, who’s impressed after winning the Summer League MVP and been the lead player for teams that won both NCAA and Summer League championships. Mitchell might be the best defender in the class, has shown he can score, shoot and distribute, and has shown that he can play very well in multi-guard lineups— crucial for a Pistons team featuring Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes. Add Bagley (yes, I know the Pistons previously rejected a Bey for Bagley swap, who’s flawed but still has the talent to be a 20+-point man who can score from anywhere and rebound everything, and you have an appropriate return for Grant.

In sum, the Sixers get Grant, Hield (for shooting), and a 2022 Kings first round draft pick to help recoup any extra name value from Simmons. The Kings get Simmons along with Curry (in order to match salary, get the Kings a backup who can shoot, and reflecting Simmons dropped value). The Pistons get Mitchell and Bagley.

Teams if this were to happen: 76ers- Maxey Hield Grant Harris Embiid Mitlon Thybulle Green Niang Drummond Springer Joe Korkmaz Reed

Kings- Fox Halliburton Barnes Simmons Holmes Curry Davis Harkless Thompson Len Ramsey Woodard Metu Jones

Pistons- Mitchell Hayes Cunningham Bey Bagley Joseph Diallo Jackson Okynk Stewart (rest in contention due to 18 on roster)