I know this is the last thing any Sixers fans need to hear right after such an embarrassing early exit from the NBA playoffs. But, like much of Philadelphia sports as of late, I am here to bring yet another hard pill for fans to swallow. Ben Simmons, who played his worst basketball by far in the Sixers’ final series, will be back in a Sixers uniform next season.

Before I begin to get optimistic about what I am praying he does with his off-season, let’s look at this from a practical standpoint. Right now, Ben Simmons stock is lower than it has ever been. Nobody will offer big assets for a player who showed no confidence offensively and shot worse from the charity stripe than the great Shaq did during the playoffs.

TRADING BEN SIMMONS WILL LIKELY MAKE THE 76ERS WORSE

Any offers the Sixers could field would realistically make the team worse in the long run. While speaking on some of these “trade scenarios” I need to take a minute to talk about some of the dumbest ones I’ve seen so far. The Sixers won’t be trading Ben for any package that doesn’t include a good point guard to make up for Ben’s offensive facilitation, so why on god’s green Earth would any Sixers fan want to trade him for Patrick Beverley and Luke Kennard.

The same logic goes for another scenario I saw, Ben Simmons for Kevin Love. Kevin Love from 2014, I would definitely field, but this is 2021. He’s old, washed, and doesn’t improve the Sixers in their weakest areas. Some of you on Twitter should never post another photo from the NBA trade simulator again before I lose my mind.

Orlando Receives:
Ben Simmons

Philadelphia Receives:
Gary Harris
Pick 5
Pick 8

Who says no? pic.twitter.com/XiZ0wHsIab

— Brian Jacobs (@BrianMikeJacobs) June 23, 2021

The reality is this, while I do believe the Sixers will listen to offers for Ben, there is only one scenario that I would truly ship Ben off for right now. We all can agree that the Sixers’ weakest point right now is their guard play. Right now, we are all witnessing the NBA playoffs being dominated by Trae Young, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker. Even the always underrated Jrue Holiday just dropped 33 points and 10 assists in game one of the ECF.

STAR LEVEL PLAYER OR BUST FOR BEN SIMMONS

I will not sit here and pretend Ben Simmons can be a great point guard anymore, but he is still only worth trading if the Sixers can get a guard whose ceiling is up with the best. That limits the scenarios greatly; the only semi-realistic one I can justify so far this off-season there would be a Beal or Dame deal. The problem with those trades is I doubt the Wizards or Blazers want Simmons right now with how low his stock is. It is a vicious cycle that I truly don’t see ending before it is time for Simmons to suit back up for Philly.

Read More: The Times They Are A-Changin’ Ben Simmons >>

The optimist in me truly hopes that Ben’s performance in the playoffs this year wakes him up. But, unfortunately, he’s already declined the Olympics to work on his craft, and the Sixers claim to have an off-season plan for him. While this certainly is news Sixers fans hear every off-season, I can only pray this time it is different. So for now, Sixers fans, stop making up terrible trade offers for Simmons and strap in for what should be a crazy off-season with Daryl Morey at the helm.

 Mandatory Credit: Kevin C. Cox