Trade season will eventually get here once the league gets past the latest wave of COVID-related issues and Ben Simmons‘ name will likely be atop the headlines as it has been since the 2021-22 season ended.
Several teams still have their eye on the Philadelphia star, including the Cavaliers. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski recently mentioned the Cavs as a team to watch regarding a Simmons trade, citing the franchise’s trove of desirable assets as well as how well Simmons (25 years old) fits into Cleveland’s timeline.
What would a deal look like? We examined what Cleveland may offer without involving other teams during the offseason, though that was before Collin Sexton‘s injury (spoiler: it included Sexton).
Lauri Markkanen could be a trade chip, as the Cavs suddenly have incredible depth in the frontcourt after adding the former Bull and No. 3 overall pick Evan Mobley during the offseason. Yet, it’s not clear exactly what Philadelphia is looking for, so Cleveland may have to get other teams involved. Regardless Cleveland should be in the mix for the Rich Paul client.
More NBA Rumors, News & Notes
- It doesn’t look like Damian Lillard will be traded before the trade deadline with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (podcast link) reporting that he’s the only Blazer who isn’t available via trade talks. Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington are among those rumored to be garnering interest.
- De’Aaron Fox returned from the COVID protocols for the Kings over the weekend, scoring just 12 points while tossing seven turnovers in the loss to the Grizzlies. The point guard missed four games will in the protocols.
- Jayson Tatum is the latest Celtics to enter the COVID protocols. He’ll join Bruno Fernando, Enes Freedom, Justin Jackson, C.J. Miles, Aaron Nesmith, Josh Richardson, Dennis Schröder, and Grant Williams as players out for Boston.
- The Timberwolves have seven players in the COVID protocols, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. Greg Monroe was one of three players the team added via 10-day deals to combat the absences.
- Jae Crowder and Elfrid Payton have each entered the COVID-19 protocols, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. They are the only two players on the Suns as of this writing.
- The Knicks have three players in the protocols. Miles McBride, Nerlens Noel, and Jericho Sims are sidelined either because of a positive test or close contact with someone who did test positive.
- The Nets and Kyrie Irving have agreed that the point guard will play in road games. However, with Irving entering the COVID health and safety protocols, his 2021-22 debut is currently on hold. Coach Steve Nash indicated that Irving will undergo some sort of ramp-up period once he’s back and Ohm Youngmisuk suggests that January 17 at Cleveland could be a target date.
- Joe Ingles could be a name on the trade market for the Jazz, as we previously passed along. No trade is imminent by any means, though if the team is going to search for an upgrade, dangling Ingles and a first-rounder might be Utah’s best bet.
