Wasn’t Pistons offer to 76ers really an overpay for Ben Simmons?

There is a report the Detroit Pistons offered Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk and Saddiq Bey plus a first-rounder to the Philadelphia 76ers in return for Ben Simmons. The Sixers demurred, but to Pistons fans, it now seems like a big overpay for what they would get.

Many basketball fans are probably sick of hearing about disgruntled guard Ben Simmons of the 76ers and proposed trades. We might be a little bit too.

Simmons wants out of Philly because …. he is a whiny crybaby whose feelings were hurt because the coach and Joel Embiid talked mean about him, after he fell apart in the Atlanta playoff series? Whatever, not Detroit’s problem.

However, there is a report from Jake Fischer of the Bleacher Report that the Pistons made a legitimate offer for Simmons back in the fall.

(h/t to Sixers Wire for excerpt)

"The situation in Philadelphia hasn’t changed since July: Daryl Morey’s front office has thus far rebuffed any Simmons offer that hasn’t included an All-Star-caliber partner for Joel Embiid who’s on the Sixers’ wish list. The Pistons’ package of Grant, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk and a first-round pick, for example, was not met with much enthusiasm by Philadelphia brass, league sources told B/R. But when that deal construct began to circle around rival NBA front offices this fall, it also alerted teams to Grant’s surprising availability."

Now it was made clear in the story this was not something that occured recently. Here are the details of the proposed trade:

Yes, Simmons is a great passer and defender, but he also can not shoot outside of two-feet from the basket, and he folded like a paper napkin in the playoffs against the Hawks (as well as the Celtics three years earlier).

Sixers general manager Daryl Morey was not thrilled with this offer for a three-time All-Star who was second in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting last year, and is just 25-years-old. However, to Detroit fans who have watched these players this season, it  actually looks like an overpay for Simmons and the Sixers should have grabbed it when they had the chance.