Should the Los Angeles Lakers buy low on Ben Simmons via trade?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tries to pass over Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tries to pass over Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

A potential trade that lands Ben Simmons on the Los Angeles Lakers:

To make this deal come close money-wise, the Los Angeles Lakers would have to include Montrezl Harrell’s salary and sign-and-trade Dennis Schröder. They would probably also have to include younger assets like Kyle Kuzma and even Talen Horton-Tucker or their first-round pick in this year’s draft if the Sixers pressed them for more.

They might even ask for another member of the Lakers starting backcourt last season Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who might be of more value than someone like Harrell.

Most Lakers fans would scoff at giving up three or four players and maybe including three that played for the 2020 championship team, for a guy that just proved he can not score in big games in the postseason. For proof of that just take a look at Simmons’ mentions on Twitter.

Regardless of public perception, Simmons’ trade value has probably never been lower, so teams should consider making a move for him because he is clearly on the trading block and still has tremendous upside and is still only 24 years old. Especially the Lakers considering they have LeBron James who has a similar size and skill set and has the best chance of any player in the league to mentor and turn his game around.