(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

File this under: It ain’t broke. Don’t fix it.

OK, so this comes with a bit of an asterisk. There’s some buzz about a James Harden swap for Simmons … but that could be in the offseason. I’m talking about right now, at the deadline. And the Nets shouldn’t make this deal now, and that means they shouldn’t add to the already-crowded group of stars they have.

Ben Simmons, leading the Suns’ second unit! Getting taught by CP3! An already tough defensive team gets better!

Nah.

They could offer some of their young guys … but the Sixers don’t want young guys. And there’s no way the Dubs should mess with anything huge now that Klay Thompson is back.

(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Nope. Not messing with this team one bit.

They need to make a trade, but not for a distributor like Simmons.

Hmm why shouldn’t they add Simmons? Oh right! From The Athletic in 2020:

Ben Simmons wasn’t quite [Karl-Anthony] Towns from a personality standpoint, but sources told The Athletic that [Jimmy] Butler didn’t view him on par with someone like himself or Embiid when it came to mental makeup. More than anything, Butler didn’t like the hierarchy of the organization.

Moving on.

The champs always need more shooting, so I’ll say no to this one.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets already have a passing forward that the offense runs through. And that player is the defending MVP who is having another huge year.

Part II of it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I kind of love what the Hornets are building, and bringing in another ball-handler with LaMelo Ball around doesn’t seem like the right move.

We kick off the section of rebuilding teams with a franchise that’s going to take its time to build from the bottom up. I can’t see them wanting to make a deal like this, or for the Sixers to be happy with whatever the return is from Houston.

Again, if the Sixers want a star or some win-now talent, they shouldn’t look at the Magic.

Hmm. Would Sam Presti give up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a deal? I would guess not. But you never know!

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

I’m fully admitting that I’m not enough of a basketball mind to figure out how Luka Doncic and Simmons would work together. What I do know is: Maybe it takes pressure off Doncic and it gives the team a much-needed talent boost.

I just don’t know what you do with this team in general. The talent on paper is there, it’s just not working as it should. So does bringing in Simmons help or keep it status quo, depending on who goes to the Sixers?

I know, I know, they have Dejounte Murray, who’s blossoming big time this year. I’m just thinking about Coach Pop and Simmons together.

Probably not a fit in terms of return for the Sixers … but I’m drooling at another defensive stud joining a team full of them.

Now we’re talking! Myles Turner could stretch the floor for Philly, Caris LeVert would help a lot, and the Pacers can get a pretty darn good return while also seeing how Simmons fits.

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

I don’t care if this doesn’t make sense with LeBron James on the same team. It’s too juicy not to be a top-10 choice.

REPORT: The Pistons made a trade offer of Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk and a 1st-round pick to the 76ers for Ben Simmons, via B/R.

The 76ers were not excited about the offer. pic.twitter.com/fBSuCKX6nv

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 18, 2022

[Whispers] This was a pretty good offer — if it was indeed made — and would have been good for the Sixers.

Point Zion is probably a thing again when he’s back at full strength, but maybe taking the pressure off ball-handling is the best thing for his career. Pair him with Simmons and they’re an intriguing, unicorn-y 1-2 punch.

This one is for me and, maybe, only me. I’m just imagining Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Ben Simmons on the court at the same time, terrifying everyone. YESSSS.

As our Mike Sykes wrote, they need help defensively. Luckily, Ben Simmons is very, very, VERY good at defense.

They need to do something to shake things up. I honestly don’t know if they have what the Sixers would want. But buying low on Simmons seems like a good idea for this franchise.

It’s kind of a perfect fit — CJ McCollum would presumably be included, and Simmons could pair with Damian Lillard to form a formidable pairing with increased defensive help.

I’m not sure if D’Angelo Russell is the answer for the Sixers, but for the T-Wolves? I love the idea of grouping Simmons with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.

Sort of like the Knicks above — some pieces are there like Bradley Beal but it’s not quite fitting all together. Getting Simmons would be a huge help.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It just makes too much sense. Buddy Hield goes to a team that will LOVE his shooting. Simmons gets to start all over on a team with some talent around him. Perfect.